RUSAL may be forced to shut down operations

The Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), a subsidiary of RUSAL says it may be forced to consider shutting down its operations after it terminated some 61 employees who protested a unilateral one per cent increase in their wages and salaries.

A statement to the News Room on Tuesday noted that the one per cent increase is in keeping in “accordance with the country’s inflation rate” and that the workers gave no notice of its strike actions.

“The workers had not given any strike notice, nor any conciliation procedure had been followed or proposed. As a result, BCGI’s operations have been seriously threatened,” Rusal noted.

The company said that it has suspended the Mining Department operations; the mining vehicles and equipment have been transferred to the storage and put under surveillance.

As such, the company noted it may be forced to close operations.

“Other departments of BCGI are operating in a regular mode. However, BCGI will be forced to consider shutting down operations should the situation persist.”

The company also threatened to institute “appropriate disciplinary measures” against the workers absent from work place with no legal reason.

The company said it has also informed the Ministry of Social Protection under which the Department of Labour operates of the issue.

On Monday it was reported that the management of BCGI did not show up to a meeting with the Department of Labour.

The workers are demanding a 15% wage increase and are calling on President David Granger to intervene.