– workers in oil, gas sector not allowed to join unions, says GTUC

GUYANA Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General-Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, is calling on the government and Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to get the foreign oil and gas companies here to respect workers’ right to join a union.

Lewis, at a press briefing at Critchlow Labour College on Wednesday, said workers should enjoy the freedom of trade union membership as is their right under the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 147 of the Constitution which deals with protection of freedom of assembly and association, he said must be respected.

According to Lewis, some companies have laid off workers who insisted on joining a union.
“The growth and development of an oil and gas industry holds out the likelihood of significant social and economic development for Guyana and for us in the trade union movement, the prospect of the creation of significant additional jobs for the workers of the country,” Lewis said.

He said the GTUC has had negative dispositions from foreign firms related to the oil and gas sector where unionising workers is concerned.

The GTUC general-secretary told reporters that one oil company stated in their employment contract, that “the employee may not without prior written consent of the company engage, whether directly or indirectly, in any business or employment or association including union membership which is similar or in any way connected to or competitive with the business of the company or which could or might reasonably be considered by the company to impair the employees’ ability to act at all times in the best interest of the company during outside the employees’ hours of work for the company.”
Lewis also called on the Private Sector Commission to make a pronouncement on the right of workers to join unions of their choice, a constitutional matter.

He said the union will also advocate for the workers in the country to benefit from local content.