SCORES of CARICOM Cement factory workers downed tools and took to the streets of Hampshire Village on Monday where they protested against a Corentyne business importing ‘Titan America’ cement.

The employees’ objective is to have their respective jobs secured, whilst enlightening the general public of the advantage of using their product branded ‘Titan’ instead of the other which has a similar trademark.
The workers repeated anti-investment jingles and called for the intervention of the government, so as to ensure that the local cement company is not forced to close its doors because of the cheaper and inferior quality cement which is being imported and sold in many retail stores in Berbice.
‘Titan America Cement’, which is being sold under the name ‘Titan’, is retailed at $1,500 per bag, while the locally manufactured product is retailed at a cost of $1,650 per bag.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khan, Health Safety and Human Resources Officer, speaking to the Berbice media, said the illegal importation of cement is having a negative impact on the company, resulting in a decline in sales.

Consequently, management is forced to either reduce the labour force or decrease work hours. We have one hundred and thirteen workers in the factory, with eighteen persons being employed as security officers. The management met with the workers and updated the staff on the recent developments, and its implications on their lives. As a result, the men were peeved and decided to protest in front of A. Hamid General Store, as the owner is the agent for Titan American Cement in Berbice.’
Explaining further, Khan said the company manufactures two types of cement: Titan and West Indian Cement.
He said, “The Titan cement is franchised, which was bought from CEMEX, a Mexican company. The raw material which is used to produce the cement is obtained in Dominica. This is a Caribbean company we export to Suriname and to French Guiana. It is unfair for another company to be allowed to import cement, moreso, cement under our brand and it is not of the standard that we require in Guyana.”
The Human Resource Officer noted that the other cement is to be used in cold climates, and when used in the tropical countries it would crack after a year of casting.
“The traders will supply you with a certificate stating that their product meets ASTM standards. However, their product meets ASTM standards under test conditions in cold weather.”
According to Khan, the company would produce 7,000 bags of cement daily; but over the past few weeks that amount had been reduced significantly.
The workers, who are all based at the Everton, East Bank Berbice location, is expected to continue their protest action.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)