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Russian bauxite company in Guyana threatens to close if industrial actions continue

Posted by CaribShout on November 28, 2009 at 12:09am
GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Management of the Russian Aluminum (RUSAL) Aroaima Bauxite Company in Guyana has threatened to close down its operations if an industrial action by several hundred of its workers continues. The problem is over pay increases for 2009. RUSAL officials in Georgetown said on Thursday that the industrial action is crippling the already “financially-strapped” company which has closed down its operation in Jamaica due to economic constraints posed by the global financial crisis and the drop in the global demand for bauxite. The workers took this action after the company proposed a 10% wages and salaries increase in exchange for a lay off of 70 employees during negotiations with their union, The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GBGWU) last week. Meanwhile, the government has stepped into the ongoing saga between RUSAL and the workers and minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir told reporters on Thursday that the Chief Labour Officer met with the workers and the company officials to thrash out the matter. Nadir has committed himself to support the Chief Labour Officer to ensure that the dispute is settled as the Bauxite company has indicated its interest to return to the bargaining table, but only after workers return to the job. “The Chief Labour officer, has been very adamant that workers need to return to work before negotiations can continue, because we can’t negotiate under duress” Nadir said. Nadir said he is concerned that if the company closes its operations here hundreds may be left with out a job. “This will affect hundreds of workers not 75, hundreds and so the irresponsible behavior of the union can cause all workers to suffer. Meanwhile, government spokesman and head of the Presidential Secretariat, Roger Luncheon at a media conference on Thursday said government has spoken to both sides and explained that mature decision making at the industrial relations level is needed and that job retention, particularly at this critical point in the world economy is important. Luncheon said both the bauxite company and the workers union should continue negotiating for a solution that would be a benefit to both the company and the workers.
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Tags: caribbean, caribshout, guyana
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