THE recent refusal by the Russian-owned giant bauxite company RUSAL to attend an important meeting with the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), the recognised union representing a large section of workers employed by the company, is a serious development.
The company said it did not meet the union because it has no collective agreement with it.
This is an outrageous position because the fact of the matter is that the GBGWU is the certified bargaining agent of a large number of workers of the company and, in accordance with the labour laws of this country, it is binding on the part of the employer to meet the union.
However, the action of the company may not be all that surprising because there is a tendency by big companies which operate in developing countries to flout labour laws and show scant respect for trade unions. Some countries with anti-labour governments actually condone such actions and are supportive of these companies.
Nicaragua was a typical example, following the overthrow of the progressive government, where powerful multinational companies moved in and the ensuing Somoza dictatorship began suppressing the trade union movement by some of the most extreme and brutal means. A similar pattern of events took place in several other Latin American, Asian and African countries following the violent overthrowing of their governments.
Fortunately in Guyana, there is a pro-labour government which has a rich history of associating with and supporting the labour movement and actions like that of RUSAL will not be supported or tolerated.
It was not surprising therefore that Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir issued a stern warning to the company.
According to Mr. Nadir, RUSAL’s refusal to meet the GBGWU and the ministry is “a gross disregard and disrespect for the country, the government, and the laws of Guyana”.
His ministry has compelled the company to heed the call to attend the next arranged meeting.
In a letter to the General Manager of RUSAL, Ruslan Volokhov, the minister reminded the company that the union is the certified bargaining agent “for a large section of your work force and you are legally bound to treat with them.” He said that the company cannot unilaterally declare that there is no collective bargaining agreement.
Perhaps, the company was using the ploy to ‘test the pitch’ and if it finds that the government is taking a weak position then it would interpret that as a signal to show scant respect for labour and the laws of Guyana.
While the government is open to investment and big companies are welcome to do business here, it has repeatedly made it clear that they must subject themselves to the laws of Guyana and respect the rights of workers.
RUSAL should forthwith reverse its present position and if it fails to do so then the Labour Ministry should enforce the appropriate sanctions uncompromisingly in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.