GAWU condemns fearmongering of enterprises to silence workers

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has condemned any action taken by employers to instill fear in their employees in a bid to silence them from speaking up against grievances in the workplaces.

In a statement on Friday, the Union noted that such measures to cheat workers of their due benefits would not be condoned.
“The GAWU is aware that fearmongering is utilised by some enterprises to dissuade workers from speaking up. Such ploys are not new, but demonstrate the ends pursued by those who accumulate wealth from the workers’ efforts. We detest such measures, and see such pressures as yet another means to cheat workers out of their due benefits. The victories demonstrate, without a doubt, the achievements workers can realise and the respect they can earn when they work together with organisations aligned with their interests.”
This GAWU position comes after it was announced that through the Oil and Gas Branch of the union and several ‘brave’ workers, a foreign multinational enterprise operating in Guyana has now committed to respecting all workers’ rights.
“This represents a major success for the workers of the company, and more so the sector, given the many reports of exploitative practices being perpetuated. The GAWU Oil and Gas Branch remains convinced that its work among workers in our nascent oil and gas sector remains relevant to ensuring that workers’ rights are respected,” the Union has said.
The GAWU had drawn attention to the fact that the company, in its employment contracts, explicitly denied workers their right to belong to trade unions. The inclusion of such a prohibitive clause runs counter to the Constitution of Guyana, which guarantees such rights to all workers.
“This was among several other issues workers of the company brought to the GAWU’s knowledge. Our Union subsequently informed the Ministry of Labour. GAWU was later informed that Company was advised by the Ministry that it needed to remove the offensive condition.”
Though the company committed to doing same, GAWU’s follow-up with employees revealed that that commitment did not materialise. This was communicated to the Labour Ministry, and it resulted in further engagement with the company. Following that engagement, the company, by memorandum, informed its employees that it was respectful of all labour rights and standards.
Workers in the sector also scored another victory through the insistence by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to have foreign-flagged vessels in the sector have onboard a copy of their Seafarers Employment Agreement.
That agreement would advise of important matters, such as wages, hours of work, and other benefits.
GAWU contextualised, “Previously, many workers in the sector have indicated to GAWU they are in the dark regarding how their pay and benefits are calculated. Indeed, we are hopeful that the MARAD decision is implemented by all vessels. At this time, we urge that serious consideration be given to the ratification of the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention, which strengthens protections to workers employed offshore. Indeed, given the challenges workers are confronting, every effort should be pursued to ensure that they are protected,” GAWU has said.