Dear Editor
THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has been taking note– via social and mainstream media– of the assault on Guyanese, in our own land, by foreigners who are said to be Russians or persons with Ukrainian passports. Guyanese must not be blindsighted by the Russian Embassy’s claim of disassociation, for there exists a history and familial bond between the two countries. Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, and later the Soviet Union, only becoming independent when the union broke up in 1991. This close and bonding relationship remains.

The Government of Guyana must send a strong message of its responsibility and commitment to respect and defend the sovereignty of this land, its people, and our rule of law. And whereas GTUC calls for due process to be exercised in ensuring the rights of the alleged accused and victims, it warns that this can only be ensured when the full brunt of the law is brought to bear in every facet of conduct. This includes, but is not confined to, whether there exists a mining permit, work permit and full adherence to the Private Security Services Act (2009).

The pattern of behaviour by the Russians/Ukrainians in the ‘backdams’ (gold mines) that has been brought to this nation’s attention, sees similar attitude manifested by the Russian management of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) towards local labour, and the laws of Guyana. For instance, in June 2011, bauxite workers were threatened by a Russian spade-wielding manager, who allegedly said he would bash their heads in and bury them.

BGCI workers continue to witness the transgressing of their rights and violation of the laws. Clearly, such acts of misconduct have created open season for others to follow. The trend of behaviour inflicted on local labour started during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. Our nation witnessed collusion with foreign governments against Guyanese institutions, violation of the laws of Guyana and transgression of Guyanese rights. Today there is clearly much cause for concern that Guyanese are becoming second-class citizens in the land of their birth.

The gold miners, whether these workers are unionised or not, must too enjoy the protection of fundamental rights. This is not a diplomatic matter to be resolved around the table; it is one that requires the Government of Guyana asserting its authority and sending a clear message to one and all, foreign and local, that the laws of Guyana will be held sacrosanct. Whether these incidents may be influenced by political collusion or not, the unearthing facts are revealling that things have gone awry and to whose interest or benefit, these must be ascertained and condignly dealt with.

Thanks to citizen-journalism for initially bringing the atrocities (pictures and videos) to the nation’s attention. This begs the question, how many more such cases exist in the interior, where our borders are porous and not properly policed. These incidents are stark reminders of the USA Jim Crow laws of discrimination that turned a blind eye/encouraged mistreatment to the coloured community. No foreigner must be made to feel Guyanese will countenance this sort of conduct.

The GTUC particularly notes these incidents are coming to the public’s knowledge at a time when there is absence of a Ministry of Labour, where workers, unionised or otherwise, feel vulnerable. They cannot identify with a ministry that belongs to them and will give direction to a national policy that would defend, protect and advance their interests.

The Guyana named Department of Labour is no substitute for a Ministry of Labour. The Department of Labour is headed by a technician, the chief labour officer, and deals only with grievances at the workplace, such as non-payment of wages/salary, conciliating in matters between employer and employee/trade union, dismissals/terminations, overtime payment, conditions of work.

Guyana cries out for an overarching labour policy that lays out the political direction of government in the treatment of labour– foreign and local– movement of people, development of skill sets, pensions, employment, health, retirement, education, occupational health and safety, child labour, trafficking in persons, free movement in CARICOM and so forth. Labour is a developmental factor and addresses the human resource in every ministry, department, and facet in society, across every demographic.

Regards
Guyana Trades Union Congress