GMI workers complain to GAWU about living conditions

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said workers attached to the Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) have complained about having to live in deplorable conditions at the company’s Matthews Ridge location in the Northwest district, Region One (Barima-Waini).
GAWU on Monday said that local and foreign workers of the company are housed in different sections of the company’s compound. This separation, according a release from GAWU, alludes to GMI favouring foreign workers over local Guyanese workers.
“The Union understands from the workers that foreigners are afforded several amenities such as satellite television, washing machines, facilities for recreation, among other things, similar facilities are not extended to Guyanese. Additionally, they informed our Union that whereas foreigners are provided with cleaning assistance, they are required to clean their own rooms,” GAWU said.
Additionally, GAWU noted that despite repeated pleas by workers to the company to address the poor living conditions, the company was not prepared to meaningfully handle the situation. “They bemoaned that given the current COVID-19 pandemic, in which sanitation has taken even greater importance, they are forced to endure such difficult conditions. They also lamented the physical condition of the housing facilities which they shared required urgent repairs and rehabilitation to bring it to an acceptable level,” the release said.
At the complaint, GAWU expressed how “disturbed” they are to learn of such a report, claiming that the Union will be standing in solidarity with the workers of GMI.
“Undoubtedly, like all workers, they deserve due reward for their effort and acceptable housing facilities as they contribute to the company’s success,” the Union said.
This is not the first time that workers of the GMI have made a complaint to GAWU. Back in July of last year, the GAWU released a similar statement expressing workers’ frustration with the company. In the statement, GAWU wrote that workers were upset by the attitude and demeanour of particular supervisors who treated them disdainfully.
Efforts by this newspaper to contact the management of GMI for a comment on the complaints proved futile.