AFC Newswire – December 4, 2009
Our People are the most important assets our nation possesses. In this case it is evident that the government continues its anti workers policies against our bauxite workers. Rusal also is wrong in cancelling the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA). The AFC calls for its immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the Labour Agreement and of all workers previously employed; without victimisation, discriminatory or vindictive motives being used to decide who works and who does not.
In addition, the party advocates, and has asked Rusal by way of letter dated November 30, to appreciate the hardship that its decision creates, and to resume operations by recognising the CLA by this weekend or early next week at the latest. We have every reason to believe that the request will be honoured. We have also been reliably informed the Government of Guyana, instead of taking the side of the workers, is surreptitiously arranging for the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) to be replaced as the representative union of the workers at Aroaima. The device to be used for this is apparently a contrived poll to be done for Union recognition.
We call firstly on RUSAL not to be a party to this dishonesty; secondly, on the GB&GWU and the workers to hold firm and fast to their principles and to be on guard for the thief that plans to at them come at night; thirdly, and lastly, on the Ministry of Labour, not to interfere or allow its agencies to be used for illegal and improper purposes. Immediately therefore, RUSAL should cease any arrangements which have begin with the Ministry of Labour to conduct a poll to determine if the Union is still recognized.
The AFC is of the view that the recent impasse between RUSAL and workers is a violation of two fundamental motivating principles that underpins national development and cohesion, as we in the AFC have been advocating for many years. Moreover, it is ironic that the PPP government – which claims it is the working class party – has chosen to side with a corporation, which has not been kind to our workers and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union. We are of the view that all avenues have not been exhausted that can bring about immediate improvements in the welfare of workers.
RUSAL has also threatened workers to close down the plant and has claimed that workers would be responsible if such an event occurs. However, we should note that RUSAL has not pursued the kind of capital investments the bauxite industry needs to enhance productivity. The AFC also believes RUSAL has acted in contravention to Guyana’s law by derecognizing the labour union.
These actions by RUSAL and the PPP government are inconsistent with two of our fourteen motivating economic principles which the AFC has for developing Guyana in one generation in the post 2011 era.
The two principles are:
(i) We seek to promote a caring relationship, shared responsibility, and joint social purpose between labour (and their unions) and the essential capitalist or investor class. We believe that labour and capitalist investors, in real production rather than finance speculators, must be the primary focus of the joint social purpose and partnership.
(ii) The AFC’s economic policies are aimed at enhancing the productivity of our people, firms and industries. We realize that the only way to increase the wage – and hence welfare – of Guyanese in the long-term is through the enhanced productivity of labour and capital.
To achieve these two principles we would need.
(i) Simultaneously develop hydroelectricity and higher value added aluminium. This is not a 700MW Jagdeo silver bullet hydro but rather a realistic hydroelectric plant of about 70MW at the Tiger Hill site (one hydro project in the AFC’s portfolio of energy policies). This realistic project would be easier to finance and the long-term cost of electricity will be lower and more reliable for families and companies.
(ii) Furniture manufacturing from specially developed wood farms for furniture making in region 10 and the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Planting new trees and wood farms would mean the area could claim carbon credit since trees are good for environmental sustainability. Jobs and wealth are created and the environment is preserved.
(iii) Transform Linden to a major financial centre catering for the hinterland regions.
(iv) The area will be promoted as a tourism destination given the natural beauty of the region. It is also an immediate stepping stone to the deeper hinterland eco-tourism destinations for visitors who come via the CBJ International Airport.
Point of contact: Peter R. Ramsaroop/CEO
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