The National Mining Workers’ Union (NMWU) has slammed the non-implementation of the collective labour agreement, something that would have safeguarded workers’ rights even as the first set of layoffs begin at Aurora Gold Mine (AGM).
NMWU President Sherwyn Downer
Guyana Times saw a list of 42 unionised employees, who were terminated. They range from pump attendants and electricians to heavy-duty equipment operators and blasters.
According to NMWU President Sherwyn Downer, in a statement on Wednesday, as many as 104 permanent workers were sent home and four had their contracts not renewed.
“It is beyond disappointing that the union and company were not able to si
Aurora Gold Mine
gn on to the collective labour agreement, as the (union) is just nine months old at AGM,” Downer said in a statement.
According to him, he inherited a situation at AGM where there were employees working there for more than two years on a contractual basis. Downer said that this exceeded the three-month probationary period required by the labour laws.
“Hundreds of Guyanese lost years of service prior to 2015, when Goldfields started production and poured its first gold bar in the said year. Many workers were only confirmed from 2015 and not prior to the same year despite working with the company for years, some from 2010 and way before that.
“Since the company started production in 2015, the employees were never given the opportunity to have an across-the-board increase in salaries. It was only done unilateral for (some),” Downer said in the statement.
When it comes to workers’ rights, the union leader also criticised the government for its lack of representation on behalf of workers over the years. Reference was made to RUSAL and Troy Resource workers, who have also had troubles with their employers.
“With the facts and numbers of hundreds of Lindeners who lost jobs. As President of the NMWU, I’m asking the APNU/AFC Government if they are proud of this great loss of jobs to the Lindeners and tell the Guyanese people how many jobs were created for Lindeners as against the numbers lost.”
Downer acknowledged that notwithstanding the inertia of the Government on the issue, Guyana Goldfields did agree to ensure that workers who were made redundant receive their severance in a timely manner.
“The Government has done nothing or little to save the once thriving and successful mining industry which now seems to be falling apart and becoming history. The Labour Department remains in labour pains,” he said in the statement.
He added that it was hoped that whichever party formed the government at the conclusion of the ongoing national recount of votes cast on March 2nd would establish a Labour Ministry as against the Department; establish a labour court (and) review the one- week-per-year-served entitlement under the Severance Pay and Termination Act. “It is totally unacceptable for workers to just be paid a mere one week per each year after termination of services.”
Only recently, Guyana Goldfields had announced it would be making large-scale layoffs of its staff at the Aurora Gold Mine. Goldfields had blamed COVID-19 and financial challenges for its decision.
This was communicated in a letter from Goldfields Chief Executive Officer Alan Pangbourne, dated May 11, 2020. In defence of the decision, Pangbourne cited COVID-19 issues and other difficulties over the past few months.
“… with great regret I am writing to all employees to inform you that we will be reducing the size of AGM’s workforce. This reduction in the workforce will take place at all levels, including both national and expatriate employees as the company will transition its mining operation into a state of care and maintenance for an undetermined period,” the CEO’s letter to employees had stated.
Guyana Goldfields has had a rollercoaster year, with former CEO Scott Caldwell resigning and a shareholder’s dispute. It has also had to contend with workers striking over concerns about their severance.
