GOVERNMENT has not issued a directive to the Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) to refrain from increasing wages of workers, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simon Broomes has said. Last week the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said in a release that it was advised by the company that the government had ordered a freeze on wages increase. However, Broomes on Tuesday dispelled such allegations stating that no such directive was made. “That is very misleading. This government at no time indicated to any company that they ought not to pay their workers increases in salaries,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.
Last Thursday, the GTUC issued a call on government to clarify BCGI’s wage increase announcement and enforce the Labour Law. A press release issued by the GTUC said management of BCGI at a meeting with workers at its Aroraima location on Monday October 12 announced that there would be no wage increases for 2015 based on advice of government. “Since 2009 BCGI has been engaging in acts and actions contrary to the Laws of Guyana with the complicity of the Government of Guyana,” GTUC stated.
But Minister Broomes said she is unaware of any directive of that nature and believes there must be some misunderstanding. “I do know where it is coming from… there is no evidence before me to say that was said,” she told Guyana Chronicle.
Broomes added that as far as she is aware her ministry never discussed the issue of salary increases with BCGI. “Quite clearly, the government never had any engagement with that company saying not to pay workers’ increases. That is not true,” the minister said. Broomes added that allegations of that nature are puzzling as government would not issue such directives. “We comply with the law… I do not understand where this is coming from but I don’t want to think that they are even doing that. I believe there has to be some misunderstanding or miscommunication somewhere.”
The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) by virtue of a Certificate of Recognition dated July 26, 2007 is the recognised bargaining agent for all non-management employees excluding security at BCGI. The GTUC said that the announcement by BCGI on the non-payment of increases to workers was repeated on Tuesday October 13.