Bosai scales down workforce in light of COVID-19 pandemic 

In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the Linden-based bauxite company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) has scaled down its workforce as of April 1st, 2020.
The private, Chinese-owned company, one of the largest employers in the community, in a letter which was issued on Tuesday, March 31, indicated that its management made the decision to temporarily reduce the workforce in an effort to maintain a safe workplace and to protect the health of employees.
The company also cited that it wants to ensure the continuity of business operations during the pandemic.
This publication understands that contract workers are the ones being sent home, and according to the letter, the move will be effective from April 1 to April 30, 2020.
The letter assured employees that, depending on how the the pandemic is controlled, they would be recalled earlier or later as the situation demands.
The company, via the letter which was signed by Senior Personnel Officer Truedel Marks, also assured employees that they would receive their termination benefit of 4 percent of their Gross earnings for the period in which they worked.
In an invited comment, National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Branch Chairman Whitney Graham assured that the decision was taken in an effort to maintain safety of the employees in light of the pandemic.
While he could not confirm the number of employees that are being affected, Graham, who is also employed with the company, said workers are generally cooperating with the decision.
“On our shift, the employees seem to understand what is going on. And with this recent pandemic that we have here, it concerns everybody… so, at least the ones from our shift, they didn’t really take it that hard…”, he told this publication.
Graham noted that more contract employees were expected to be sent home on Wednesday evening, including retirees and casual workers. He said workers are expected to gradually be sent home over the next few days.
Graham further indicated that he was not aware of any agreement for the contract workers to be paid during their time off from work.
“Once you’re home you won’t be paid, I was told”, he related. Graham said while he was in agreement with the decision, given its safety aspect, there should eventually be some form of compensation to assist affected workers.
“I would say the move is Bosai’s way to protect individuals, both management and staff. I don’t see a problem with trying to do that, but then, at the same time, be reminded that all of the workers have families. Later down, they should be able to consider…some kind of compensation…”, Graham said.