Rusal workers to receive tax exempted overtime

The long awaited tax exempted overtime for workers attached to the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) will soon be realised, following intervention by the Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department.
Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement at a meeting with Junior Minister Keith Scott, Chief Labour Office Charles Ogle and BCGI officials on Thursday at the Ministry’s Brickdam office.
The meeting was a response to concerns raised by stakeholders when both Ministers Lawrence and Scott visited the Bauxite Company to inspect the working conditions under which the workers were exposed.
Upon returning to Georgetown, Minister Lawrence met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan to discuss the tax exempted overtime. “I did meet with the Minister of Finance… the workers will be given the tax exemption on overtime,” she said during the meeting.
According to an article from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the workers noted that their greatest concern was not being afforded the opportunity to have a union of their choice.
But BCGI Senior Safety Officer Linden Prince remarked that management was never approached by employees for Union representation, nonetheless, after discussions, the company committed to provide workers the opportunity to have a union of their choice.
Other concerns raised over the past several years included workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job; staff working for in excess of five years and receiving no raise in pay; staff reporting sick, receiving pay eight hours for a three-day period but upon resumption, money is deducted from their salary; poor ventilation in office areas; and no occupational safety and health representatives or committee, among several other issues.
In response to the issues raised, BCGI’s management said the Company has no knowledge of workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job.
The company’s management said wages and salary increases are provided annually to all regular employees and contractors; however the Social Protection team advised that the company correct any actions that are detrimental to the occupational health and safety of the workers.
Moreover, Minister Lawrence emphasised the need for the company to work together with the Government to ensure that both the Company and employees are protected under Guyana’s law.