Gov’t examining jobs for Region 10 bauxite workers

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton has said the Government is examining employment options for workers in the bauxite industry who have been affected by the closure of the Russia Aluminium’s (RUSAL) operations here.

“Once I suspect the Government has a good proposal of this situation, we will consider it, so that we can have a re-activation of the bauxite industry in this part of the country,” the minister said.

He relayed that following a meeting last year with the Labour Ministry and RUSAL, the company was asked to submit a report to the Ministry of Natural Resources, which that Ministry is examining. Minister Hamilton also said that during that process, Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Incorporated ceased its operations here as well and shipped its major barge out of the country.  These actions also led to unemployment.

Though the government will continue to have engagement on this matter, the Minister said, “For us, what we want is a recommencement of the bauxite operation, not necessarily with RUSAL, because our major concern is not RUSAL, it is the workers in Region Ten getting back to work.”

In an interview with Department of Public Information (DPI) in October, Minister Hamilton said nearly 600 persons lost their jobs when the company suspended its operations. At that time, he had said the most important issue for the Government was securing employment for workers.

RUSAL, founded in 2004, has a 90 per cent stake in Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and possesses licences to develop Linden, Kwakwani and Ituni deposits in Guyana. The Government owns the remaining stake in the company.