GAWU will continue to speak on behalf of all workers

Dear Editor,
Several sections of the media have reported on an engagement between Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton and representatives of ExxonMobil. From those media reports, we learnt that Minister Hamilton addressed concerns about pay levels of Guyanese vis-à-vis foreigners, as well as unionisation of workers in the oil and gas sector.
The Minister’s engagement followed that of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had also expressed concerns about workers’ pay levels.
In this regard, our Union made a public announcement of its willingness to assist and offer guidance to unorganised workers. A few workers from the oil sector have since engaged us and shared with us some documents.
Those interactions and review of documents were, for us, revealing. We recognise that workers in the sector are really being taken advantage of, and many of their rights are not being respected. Moreover, longstanding practices embraced by many sectors are absent in the supposedly high-paying oil and gas sector. Worst of all, the workers are practically threatened against seeking union representation. We have learnt that even a quip in that direction results in a fast and furious response to make such workers an example in an obvious attempt to intimidate and instill fear.
Our country has had a proud tradition of progressive advancement of workers’ rights. We therefore have a responsibility to defend those rights, and to stand with workers in any sector who are literally being exploited without any recourse to justice. Given the travails the oil sector workers are enduring, and the several victories of workers in Guyana, the GAWU cannot remain silent or stand at the sidelines. We see the need to speak up and speak out. We see the need to ensure that workers’ rights are upheld.
As we again reiterate our willingness to advance workers’ rights, be assured of our continued voice in defence of all workers who need protection and help. We again invite any worker who has difficulty at their workplace, or just requires clarity or explanation, to approach us, whether online or in person. We stand ready to assist.

Yours faithfully,
Seepaul Narine
General Secretary,
Guyana Agricultural
& General Workers
Union (GAWU)