Fired RUSAL workers to be reinstated

The local subsidiary of Russian Aluminum company (RUSAL), the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), is expected to reinstate the 61 workers who were fired on February 19 after they protested a 1% wage increase, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman told reporters on Monday.

While the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour deals with industrial issues, Trotman said: “I would expect for us to get back into production and normalcy certainly by Wednesday the latest.”

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally met with workers in the community of MapleTown, Aroiamaand also told them they would be reinstated but she did not say when.

Trotman reiterated what Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said in a meeting with executive members of the company on Thursday last.

“We stood with the company during its travails with the sanctions, we expect that the company will stand with us now and respects both the law and the workers,” Trotman said.

The Minister of Natural Resources said the workers also need to follow collective bargaining agreements.

“Government wants to see workers that are comfortable both with their wages and conditions of work and we want to see a company working in Guyana that is earning fair rate of return on its investment.

“So it’s finding that balance between aiding the company and ensuring that the workers are okay.”

RUSAL halted its operations after workers demand at least a 15% increase in their wages and salaries. The protesting workers were subsequently relieved off their duties.

On February 21, a group of ministers met with Vladimir Permyakov, company representative in Guyana and Mr. Sergey Kostyuk, Director of Alumina and Bauxite Department at RUSAL. The meeting aimed to identify ways in which the ongoing industrial strike taken by workers and the subsequent dismissal of 61 employees could be resolved amicably.

The Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union in a statement Sunday said it was not prepared to only accept the Minister Ally’s call for the company to respect the country’s labour laws.

“We hold her and Government accountable for ensuring the RUSAL management conforms to these without delay, failing which there must be immediate consequences.”

The workers said the industrial strike is continuing until they are officially back to work with their demands met.