–promises over 1,000 jobs to comply with labour laws

EUROPEAN construction giant, the Royal BAM Group on Wednesday met with Minister with the Ministry of Social Protection and other ministerial officials in a bid to familiarise itself with the country’s labour laws.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Social Protection, the UK-based firm has disclosed that it intends to employ about 300 persons directly and another 800 indirectly, and gave its assurance that it intends to comply with all laws as well as customs and practices which impact the construction industry here.

Wednesday’s meeting was convened at the behest of Royal BAM, and according to its representatives, Business Development Manager, Sander Janssen, and Area Operations Manager, Tam Smith, the Group intends to peruse the country’s laws which impact labour/management relations, occupational health and safety, social security, and trade unionism.

Janssen and Smith, who were accompanied by Narvan Singh, a representative of the British High Commission (BHC), also said issues of rates of pay, and working hours will be examined.

That aside, the investor group said it is open to engaging Union representatives of their employees should the need arise, while emphasisng that it is willing to make training available to all levels of employees, so they can acquire new and specialised skills.

The Royal BAM Group has a specific interest in construction of the new bridge over the Demerara River, and with that in mind, the group’s representatives discussed the availability of necessary skilled personnel, including engineers, needed to be a part of the construction of the new bridge.

The Royal BAM Group is a construction firm with 10 operating companies in five European home markets. and in niche markets worldwide.
BAM’s operating companies are active in the business lines Construction and Property, Civil engineering, as well as in Public-Private Partnerships, the group’s website says.

The feasibility study for the new bridge across the Demerara River was completed by LIEVENSE CSO, and the construction of the bridge has been estimated at US$170M.

Meanwhile, subject minister Keith Scott has not only assured the investors that Guyana is at a critical juncture of evolution, but also it’s an investor-friendly environment. He welcomed the news of job creation for hundreds of Guyana.

Notwithstanding the good news, Minister Scott made it clear that it is the mandate of his ministry to intervene whenever employees are aggreived, even if their dissatisfaction does not result in industrial action. ,

Scott reminded the construction group of the need to be familiar with the laws of Guyana, while urging the entity to make full use of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, an agency attached to the Ministry of Social Protection.