Workers must be reinstated – Min. Keith Scott

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, March 7, 2019   

“The issues can’t be settled if you have reinstatement today, however reinstatement today is the beginning of the first step, and then from there as mature people, internationally as well as locally, we can now sit down, and say, let us work out a modus vivendi”

These were the sentiments of Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection,  Keith Scott as it relates to the way forward with the United Company Russian Aluminium (RUSAL)-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI).

The Minister in an invited interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) disclosed that the government has sent proposals to both RUSAL and the trade unions to outline their grievances in writing. He assured that before any resolution can be tabled, the affected workers must be reinstated.

Minister Scott also urged the dismissed workers to remain strong and rest assured that not only the unions, but their government is fighting for them and stands behind them firmly.

“…we have engaged with them, we have given them the assurance that government stands resolutely behind them”

Following their dismissal, sixty-one workers from RUSAL controlled BCGI took to strike action. Those workers through their unions have started protests, and RUSAL’s production has come to a halt.

The government, as well as the various unions, have been meeting with the RUSAL executives in the hopes of finding an amicable solution for the current situation.

The Minister has since sent correspondence to RUSAL regarding the government’s propositions and is awaiting a response.

Nikosi Bruce.

Images: Jules Gibson.