THE Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) says the non-payment of 2017 tax refunds to workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) has absolutely nothing to do with their submitting of tax returns.

In a statement issued by the Department of Public Information (DPI) and carried in the Guyana Chronicle, headlined “Bauxite workers’ refunds delivered to GRA from RUSAL” (9th January, 2017), it is stated that bauxite workers are to submit a claim to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for refunds and this was communicated to the GB&GWU and all the parties concerned.

DPI attributed the instant statement to Minister Keith Scott, who has responsibility for Labour.
However, the union said this is wrong. According to the union, the procedure for the refund was expressly outlined by the GRA via letter dated 30th November 2017, signed by Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia and addressed to BCGI Chief Accountant, Rafeek Khan.

According to the union, the instant letter directed BCGI that the money deducted between January-November 2017 be refunded to the workers and the company will reclaim same when submitting future taxes on workers’ incomes to the GRA.

“In effect what the stated items mean is that: a) BCGI shall pay workers all monies deducted for taxes on overtime and premium hours for workers for the year 2017; and b) for the year 2016 the workers, individually, shall submit their returns to GRA which will be cross-referenced with the information submitted by BCGI in order for refunds to be effected. The issue presently under contention is the non-refund to workers for taxes deducted on overtime and premium hours worked in 2017,” GB&GWU said in a statement.

The GB&GWU said it is concerned that BCGI has to date not complied with the GRA’s directive, which demonstrates continued blatant disregard for this nation’s sovereignty, its institutions and citizens/workers. “The union is further concerned about Minister Scott’s seeming comfort, as attributed in the DPI’s statement, to continuously mislead on this serious matter that borders on laws and effective functioning of government that he, by oath, has obligation to safeguard, protect and defend.”

GB&GWU calls on the Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, who has responsibility for Labour, to intervene and ensure this matter is treated with deserving seriousness and alacrity in order that the workers can receive what is duly theirs.