…as RUSAL removes equipment from Region 10
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has lambasted the incumbent coalition administration for failing to protect the interests of hundreds of bauxite workers who are now left jobless as a result of the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) suspending its entire operation here. 
This decision was announced earlier this week after negotiations with the Government reached a deadlock. On Monday, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally joined Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle to engage officials of RUSAL – the Russian company which holds some 90 per cent stakes in BCGI.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo posited that the meeting was merely a “big show” for bauxite workers to believe that Government was negotiating on their behalf.
“The ministers did a show. Imagine they brought in RUSAL and they televised the whole negotiation just to say ‘Oh we’re strong, we’re looking out for your interest.’ Amna Ally is useless, almost like begging and pleading. It’s just a show they’re putting on. Now, 900 of our people there will not work,” the Opposition Leader stressed.
He went on to also chide President David Granger for remaining silent over the past weeks as the controversy unfolded and eventually escalated to the company ceasing operations here.
In fact, RUSAL has already begun removing its equipment from Aroaima in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Guyana Times understands that several tugs and barges came out from the Berbice River carrying heavy-duty vehicles and other equipment on Thursday afternoon.
In recent times, BCGI has been facing some difficulties, which the meeting on Monday was called to iron out.
While the company cited that low production and fuel issues triggered the move to make this decision, Minister Ally contended that workers should not be treated this way.
However, when the company had initially announced its decision to terminate 142 workers, it stated that it was experiencing difficulties after Government ended its duty-free arrangement for its fuel.
Following the decision to lay-off employees, workers and residents blocked the section of the Berbice River utilised by the Aroaima-based company. This further compounded the company’s problems.
A letter from the company dated January 29, 2020, which was seen by Guyana Times, indicated that the company was forced to further reduce operations and to lay-off employees owing to adverse operating circumstances including shipment interruption because of the blockage of the Berbice River.
In fact, other private sector companies operating in the area were also forced to send home their workers as a result of the blockage hindering their operations to move materials up and down the Berbice River. The Police has since moved in to remove the blockade from the river but were faced with resistance from the workers and their families.
Meanwhile, Chief Labour Officer Ogle and others from his Department had discussions with RUSAL officials on the reemployment of the laid-off workers and whether they were paid their severance among other entitlements. These include one month’s notice, all severance wages and annual leave.
“We were advised that all outstanding benefits were paid over to the workers… They are to submit to us the breakdown so that we can calculate and confirm that the terminal benefits are accurate,” the Department of Public Information quoted senior Labour Officer as saying.
RUSAL Representative Vladimir Permyakov sought to explain the rationale behind these recent events, saying that aluminium prices have dropped on the world market. Added to that, there were claims that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) refused to grant duty-free concessions for fuel, which added to their setbacks.
Another meeting is expected to convene today between RUSAL representatives and the Chief Labour Officer to further discuss the issue and decide the way forward.
BCGI had dismissed 61 workers in February 2019 after they protested for better working conditions and wages. After weeks of deliberations, they were reinstated.
In January, the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) declared that it had lost all confidence in Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott, who has responsibility for labour.
