THE Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) met yesterday with Minister of Natural Resources (MNR) Raphael Trotman, Junior Minister Simona Broomes and their team to discuss issues relating to the Unites States Government’s sanctions on RUSAL, parent company of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), and the implications, including the news of the shipping company Oldendorff Carriers’ closure.

According to a statement from the unions, the meeting was also attended by the People’s United General Workers Union, which represents the workers at Oldendorff. The Government of Guyana has 10 percent share in BCGI.

At the meeting the GB&GWU laid out its concerns. Chief among them were ensuring employment for Guyanese and the sustainable management of the bauxite resources for the benefit of the citizens.

In light of US sanctions and principal condition for delisting, i.e. the exit of Mr Oleg Deripaska, owner and president of RUSAL, the union called for Government to be more proactive in treating the issue, given potential implications for Guyana.

The Union proposed the establishment of an advisory team of competent skills, unique to bauxite, to meet and deliberate on a way forward and urged Government to maintain a working relationship with the unions whose members will be affected by the decisions impacting RUSAL/BCGI and Oldendorff. It was noted such engagement would be consistent with Articles 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution.

GB&GWU further enjoined Government to avoid the Jamaica experience where RUSAL shuttered its operation yet at the same time held on to the country’s strategic bauxite reserves. “That decision adversely impacted on the workers (who were laid off), the economy and government’s ability to utilise the resource,” the union said.

Government’s representatives at the meeting noted the unions’ concerns and committed to taking the issues raised to Cabinet.