Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) has reportedly layoff more than 100 employees, with effect from January 23, for downsizing its operations as a result of fuel shortage.
The news came after the workers of the company’s mining site in Maple Town Aroaima, Region 10, said that they received the notification in the afternoon of the previous day. The notice stated, “We wish to advise that we are forced to reduce operations and lay-off employees due to shortage of fuel.”
According to the report, those been sacked will be recalled as soon as the situation stabilises. However, the exact number job loss has not been confirmed by the company’s head office in Georgetown.
Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, when contacted told that she also came to know about the layoffs on January 23. Nonetheless, her Junior Minister Keith Scott is already looking into the matter, she said.
About a year ago, a group of workers of the company had protested against the wage problem by blocking the Berbice River and preventing the company’s barges from transporting bauxite.
The workers, who began striking on February 15, 2019 and continue until the imposition of a unilateral 1 per cent increase in wages by the company, along with other unaddressed issues, including BCGI’s unwillingness to acknowledge the union as the workers’ bargaining agent, said the protest movement was a signal then to the company to find an urgent solution.
The company fired 90 workers following the initiation of the strike, besides 60 workers been dismissed initially and an additional 30 sacked in the ensuing days.
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