Home News Transformation of Enmore Packaging Plant: GAWU satisfied workers’ rights being respected after...
With the Enmore Packaging Plant slated to undergo transformation into a modern oilfield service centre and manufacturing facility, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was concerned about the 30-odd workers with the undertaking of this new venture.
However, following a meeting with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Friday, the Union is now satisfied that the rights of workers at the packaging plant is being respected during this transition.
“Through our engagement, the Union was able to ensure that the rights of the 30-odd workers within the GAWU’s bargaining unit were respected. GuySuCo has agreed to ensure that it fulfils its obligations as efforts are made to transition the workers to the new venture,” GAWU said.
According to the Union, the workers have also indicated their satisfaction with its efforts, saying that GAWU’s presence allowed them to feel reassured and know that they are protected. As the same time, the workers informed the Union that they are excited to move into the new venture.
“The Union was assured, at this time, by GuySuCo that employees linked to other aspects of the estate’s operations will not be affected by the changes taking place. The Corporation indicated that operations would continue as per normal and advised that it could not offer any further clarity at this point. GAWU is heartened by the developments which ensured that the workers are taken care of, and their rights were respected,” a missive from the Union detailed.
Last week, it was announced that Government has leased the packaging facility located at the Enmore Estate, to local company Guysons Engineering which has partnered with US-based K+B Industries to form the Guysons K+B Industries Inc. (GKB) Joint Venture will be establishing the Enmore Manufacturing Facility to cater to the oil and gas sector.
As part of the agreement, the company will have to retain all the workers of the packaging plant and conduct training so that they can be absorbed into the new operations.
Last week, a team comprising Government Ministers, including Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and executives of GKB Industries met with the workers of the packaging plant.
It was disclosed at the engagement that in addition to securing their jobs, Government will also be giving the workers a two-month bonus to assist them during the transition period – something which the workers welcomed.
Meanwhile, Guysons K+B Industries has committed to invest in the people of the East Coast corridor, plugging an “unmatched” US$37.5 million ($7.5 billion) to establish the Enmore Manufacturing Plant, a state-of-the-art oilfield services facility.
The company clarified that its lease is not for the sugar estate but the Enmore Packaging Plant – a site that was recommended by Government.
The packaging facility is approximately 100,000 sq feet and its transformation will take an estimated 18 to 24 months. GKB said the packaging plant could be repurposed and become operational, almost immediately, preserving jobs currently held at the plant, with a guarantee of 150 employees by the end of the first year and 500 in five years.
According to the company, a minimum of 50 acres of land is required to effectively deliver OCTG (oil country tubular goods) and premium accessory services to the local oil and gas sector. These services are currently being outsourced to companies in Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and other countries.
“This initiative would increase commercial activity on the East Coast corridor and tap into considerable foreign exchange-earning potential, bringing greater oil and gas revenues to Guyana. Significantly, this would be the first time ever that these services are provided in-country… GKB endeavours to train residents of the East Coast corridor.”
“We have committed to rehiring 100 per cent of the workers currently employed at the Enmore Packaging Plant. We will see to it that our expansion uplifts economically-depressed communities of the East Coast corridor with sustainable jobs which will serve as a revitalising lifeline for its youth and laid-off sugar workers… The capacity building and job creation potential of this project and its spill over effects cannot be understated,” the company said in a recent missive.
It further noted that it has agreed to strict land development timelines and milestones over the first three years that will be monitored as the phased development occurs.
