WORKERS at a mining camp located in the Port Kaituma backdam are alleging that they are victims of labour trafficking by a man they consider to be their employer. Noel Sambach says he was employed by Elvis Cameron, the owner of a medium-scale mining operation in Port Kaituma, to operate a bulldozer and also work as a mechanic.
Sambach told the Guyana Chronicle that he worked with Cameron for six months, but was only paid $180,000. He says he is owed some $1.6M for the period worked.
“I used to work with Elvis Cameron at Port Kaituma backdam. I worked there for six months, and he never sent home a cent for my family.”
The frustrated 46-year-old said because of his inability to provide for his family, his two sons, aged 15 and 16, were forced to work at a sawmill in Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.
The Crabwood Creek resident said whenever he tries to contact Cameron, the man either does not answer his mobile or if he does, he usually contends that he is not in a position to pay.
“When I call Elvis, he tell me tomorrow he going to send some money. Up to now, Elvis never send a cent to me; nothing at all,” Sambach said.

NOT UNIQUE
But Sambach’s situation is not unique, as many of his colleagues have complained that they, too, have not been paid money owed to them.

“I leave my other colleagues in there; they have no money to come out from the ‘backdam’. Every day they keep calling me, asking for a raise so that they can go home,” the man said, shaking his head in despair.
While he was in the Port Kaituma backdam, Sambach said Cameron had sent $180,000 to his wife. Unfortunately for him, however, he volunteered to help Cameron secure parts for a machine that had broken down. He said the parts were sourced and his wife used $80,000 out of the $180,000 she received to pay for them. Now, Sambach wants that money back so that his sons can enjoy their childhood. He says he regrets that his children were forced to work while he was in the ‘backdam’ as he could not provide for his family.
The frustrated man said many a times, the boss would leave the camp without food and water, because he knows the workers have no means of leaving.
Money, he said, is not available to the workers of the camp, so many of them are forced to stay in the ‘backdam’.
SALT-AND-RICE
In the case of Natasha Daniels’ husband, Lendon Critchlow, he has been in the ‘backdam’ since February, and is owed $2.7M. Since he began working with Cameron, his wife was given $347,000 in March.
“He said he is not coming home unless he gets all of his money,” Daniels told this publication yesterday.
“I have bills,” was all she could say, so emotional was she. When she came to herself, she said the situation is so bad, that she and her son have had to make do with what they had. “For two weeks,” she said, “me and my son had to eat salt and rice.”
In tears, the mother of two boys said, “In August, Cameron claimed he sent money with his wife, but I am yet to receive the money.
“He answered his phone and said he didn’t get through yet. Next day, he said the same thing; the man didn’t bring the money yet. Up to now, he never called me back. Since then to now, no money.”
The Friendship, East Bank Demerara resident said her older son helps her from time to time. He lives in Antigua. Both boys, she explained, trouble with eczema. Her younger son’s condition is getting worse, she said, but she is unable to get medical treatment for him as she has no money.
“Things not easy,” she said, sobbing. Daniels explained that people often feel refreshed after sleeping, but she wakes up with the burden of not having money.
The frustrated woman said attempts to contact Cameron have all failed, and efforts to speak rationally with his wife were all futile as well.
“I called his wife phone; she cussing people. Sometimes my husband gets so frustrated, I have to call and tell him don’t do nothing rash; just come home. He said he is not coming home without his money; and even if he comes home, he has no money,” Daniels said.
Speaking to this publication briefly, Lendon Critchlow said: “Three nights ago, I talk to him. He said he had no money; he was broken.
“I am here, and he brought in another operator. I told him he has to pay me once I am here. He agreed. I finish doing my job, but this man is not paying us; he is wicked. It is hard on me and my family, really hard.”

NO WAY OUT
Another worker, Mark Blake, General Manager of the mining camp says he is owed $750,000, but is also stranded in the Port Kaituma ‘backdam’, as he had no means of leaving the location.
“I have been in here five months now,” he said. “A lot of times he fails to leave food and water for us to eat. The fella got money, but don’t want to pay. I don’t know why he not paying us.
“I deh here couple months; I want go home. My mother wants me to go home; she keeps calling me, but I can’t move; I got no money to come out.”
The frustrated man said whenever he asks Cameron for his money, he always promises to pay, but never does.
Several attempts to contact Cameron proved futile, and all his wife could say, when contacted, was: “I don’t know anything about that; I am not in the interior; I have no idea.”
Asked, for instance, when last she saw her husband, Mrs. Cameron said, “He gone in since September.” She could not state when he would return to the city.

LABOUR TRAFFICKING
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes has vowed to bring an end to the torture that Cameron’s workers suffer daily.
She said, “This is labour trafficking; I will have the police investigate this.”
Minister Broomes stressed that under her watch, she would not allow such a situation to continue. “We can’t have this! This woman’s child is sick! Children are dropping out of school; this will break up homes; this is bad for the family!”
She promised the victims that they would be paid their wages. “You have to be paid! I am going to call you, rest assured!” she said.
“These things have to cease! We have to protect the workers; that’s why I am here! I will deal with this matter!” she assured the workers.

By Ariana Gordon