Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir, who is representing Guyana at the annual International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday presented an information dossier on RUSAL/Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union industrial dispute to the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM).
ICEM is a global union federation that represents mining trade unions in approximately 100 countries, and the dossier stemmed from the entity issuing a letter to the Minster on the dispute.
Guyana’s delegation comprising Minister Nadir, Advisor to the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Jerry Goolsarran, and Assistant Chief Labour Occupational Safety and Health Officer Lydia Greene, met with the General Secretary of ICEM Manfred Warda and his colleague Dick Blin.
Minister Nadir said that he was pleased to have submitted the dossier as it would allow ICEM to base its decisions on information from all sides.  He assured ICEM that the Government of Guyana is not involve in any form of union busting nor will it deviate from its responsibilities of being a fair and impartial mediator in any industrial dispute.
He further explained the laws governing recognition and de-recognition and the actions of the Ministry in the dispute.  He also represented the strong and proud history of support for workers by the People’s Progressive Party.
Warda raised the concerns with the historic record of Russian companies and their poor labour practices in mind. His concerns surround the workers who were dismissed, and whether a poll was taken.
In view of the proliferation of mine accidents and the horrible loss of life and injury that have now become common, the ICEM urged that the Government ratify the ILO Convention 176 on safe and sustainable mining. (GINA)