-production to be cut by 30%
As Bosai prepares to release 100 persons from its workforce in Linden, Personnel and Industrial Relations Superintendent Peter Benny said that this was one of the most difficult decisions for the company.
Most of those to be affected are casual workers. According to Benny the Chinese company was forced to take the decision following a downturn in the bauxite market caused by the global economic situation. “We have to reduce production by 30% – this is the main reason why we have to cut the workforce. However we now have to concentrate mainly on stripping in the mines and mining. We would also have to work one kiln and not two.”
While this matter was discussed at the level of the union and the workforce the company is to meet with the regional bodies and other stakeholders today.
As agreed by the union representing the workers, the layoffs would be done over a month beginning next week. Workers will receive one week’s pay for every six months of completed service and they will be paid weekly until the sum due has been collected.
“We are hoping that the situation on the world scene improves in the near future and that we would be able to recall most if not all those persons to be laid off.”
Currently the company has on staff approximately 700 persons and within a month that number will be reduced to 600.
Stabroek News spoke with a few workers yesterday afternoon and they all expressed sadness about the situation.
“I have not had a chance to see the list of persons to be laid off but I know tonight would be the darkest night for me because I don’t even know if I am one of those to be sent home,” said a man who disclosed that he has been a casual worker with the company for more than two years. “With that benefit package if I have to go there is nothing for me to look forward to.”
Others shared similar sentiments that it would be very difficult finding a job. “Many men would have to resort to seek work in the interior location which would result in the disruption of their family lives.”
Another worker who expects to be on the breadline said, “I can only encourage myself and others in the community to keep hope alive and stay positive. Despite what is happening we have to remain optimistic otherwise the new hospital wouldn’t have space to hold people.”
The Russian bauxite company RUSAL also laid off workers last year and has also been hit by the global financial crisis.
The late L. F. S. Burnham’s Administration had it right with its “Grow More Food Campaign” during the “economic crisis” of the 1970’s and 1980’s; and, the Guyana Cooperative Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK) should have been in place to offer these soon to be laid-off workers a second chance and the current Guyana Government should save its face by re-establishing the Guyana Cooperative Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK) in order that these (and other) affected workers around the country to contribute positively to the Guyanese economy.
More so, the expected shortfalls in “remittances”….
“Kimbia Here We Come”!
Good thought but the PPP will never admit/agree that anything positive was done by the PNC, much less recusitate any of the organizations they ‘closed’ when they assumed government.
There is no ’safety net’ or real alternatives in Guyana today.
Guyana’s immediate future in the wake of the current global crisis looks ‘bleak’ to say the least. Look out for upsurges in crimes in the areas of robberies (armed and violent) domestic violence and child abuse.
It’s never too late to embark on Food Producing Campaigns but that is an uphill task given the present state of our Drainage and Irrigation infrastructure.
Given the nature of things in the world today it is important that the Guyana Government implement a system of Unemployment Insurance (similar to the US) for all of the country’s workers. This will help when ‘furlough’ type situations like this occur.
Re: “There is no ’safety net’ or real alternatives in Guyana today.
Guyana’s immediate future in the wake of the current global crisis looks ‘bleak’ to say the least. Look out for upsurges in crimes in the areas of robberies (armed and violent) domestic violence and child abuse…”
I have to respectfully disagree with some of what you are saying my friend “Ankoko”. Lets look at things from the positive angles as Guyana more than any of the Caribbean countries is richly endowed with an abundance of fresh water resources (fish production…); fertile land (agriculture and food production, processing…); forestry resources (timber production); minerals (gold, diamonds, platinum, semi-precious stones…); tourism et cetera, et cetera; and, all it would take is the right people behind these efforts.
Consider the fortunes of Guyanese with an abundance of the natural resources mentioned above as against some folks in some parts of the United States of America (and; other parts in certain countries around the world – China, Japan…) who are riding the present world financial and economic crisis in tents, homeless shelters, or on the streets.
And, Guyanese (like Americans) can; and, will make it!
“Never Say Never”!
I agree with you.
Kaieteur gold you sounding like John Yates or Lorry Lewis dere padna.
Gaibank? Kimbia? why Kimbia so we can go from Pumkin and rice to Rice and Pumkin?
Not so much pappy.
You could have had names like Ibini, Dadanawa, de Rupununi Cattle Trail, Guyana Airways Corporation (remembering these from school days) so that you can have beef, pork, labba, chicken, (lamb – compliments of the GDF Farm on de EBD) blackeyes, corn, all together with de mighty Rupununi Cssareep and many other vegetables – you name it. How about some “Guava Jelly” to go with de cassava bread….
And, what a scary day for those poor “would-be citizens”. Ya all think it is (getting) duh easy in de USA – eh!
The global economic crunch finally reached guyana, and the people of linden will feel it, i hope there’s a cushion for the released workers.
The thing is – Guyana can ride the “global economic crunch” into a bright future through the establishment of the L. F. S. Burnham International Airport within the “Rockstone Area” perhaps; with, the “Janet Jagan International Airport” to follow in the Rupununi or Berbice Regions perhaps; and, that is – if the current PPP led Guyana Government Administration does not have its “political blinders” on.
“Jobs – Baby – Jobs”; and, “Tourism – Baby – Tourism”!
Interesting enough Mr. Firewall had indicated that “According to President Jagdeo, Bosai is resilient in the face of the financial crisis and this will continue in the future”
Hmmmmm Seems like de hee can o mist wasn’t really seeing down the road like everyone else apparently.
Maybe the communist hee canamic classes need refreshing.
I made the call for the government to implement a stimulus package to save jobs and to provide a cushion for those who would loose their jobs eventually. Vision Guyana peter ramsaroop did so, the PNC asked for a national committee be set up to review the impact of the global crisis on guyana and come up with a program to help cushion. the government refused and went ahead with its pipe dream budget.
Thomas—You the PNC and Ramsaroop are just prattling …Do you know what is in the Obama Stimilus package???? Check the Guyana Budget and see if some of those same plans that Obama has in his SP is not laid out in the Guyana Budget and budgeted for…The PNC asked for a team of Experts from overseas to look into Guyana’s Crisis ..A crisis that does not exist in Guyana due to the nature of its banking systems and these experts will be coming from countries that are on the down slide due to the Crisis…( So they cannot fix their problem but will be able to fix Guyana’s )Very good call PNC…
soldier that is why bosai is laying off 150 employees, now what will they do, is there a job waitins somewhere that they can be gainfully employ now that they are laid off, when the govt don’t listen that will happen, so that is no excuse my friend.
“Soldier”, “Soldier” (as Saul, Saul… “Why Dash Thy Foot Against The Stone”…) as it is written in the Biblical Text; so, do you care to explain to the world “Soldier” what exactly from the L. F. S. Burnham Administration’s past (particularly when it comes to the bauxite industry in Guyana….) that you are “knocking you head” against!!!
Here is one of the reasons why he posthumously received accolades from Caribbean Leaders:
Re: “[...“Opposition Leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan may consider it justified in questioning the Guyana Government's non aligned policy. But even he must agree that in the nationalisation of Alcan's Demba and the thrust towards the Sino-Soviet bloc, Mr. Burnham has dwarfed his Caribbean colleagues and has elevated himself and Guyana in the eyes of the Governments and people of the Third World .”
This consistency of opinion between the 1971 Guyana Graphic and the Caribbean people 21 years later speaks to the enduring contribution he made.
The nature of what he had to work with was another testimony of his vision for Guyana . One document described the people of Guyana at that time as “a congeries of races from all parts of the world. A confused people, inconfident, directionless divided, destroying ourselves through communal strife and violence and wallowing in self pity.”
It was in that environment that Burnham set out to develop Guyana . It was the comprehensive and structured way in which he did it that provides a measured standard to which the country is being administered today.
It was a comprehensive programme familiarly known as the Food, Clothe and House The Nation Programme. Surrounding this were a number of developments in education, health, communications, and transport, environmental protection, fishing and shrimping, cooperatives, policing, electricity, finance, women's growth and providing opportunities for all...]”
http://www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com/special/acda_burnham.html
So, how much longer do you think that you can continue “knocking your head against historical facts” (try to paint a different picture) for all the world to see “Soldier”!
They say that: “History Is A Great Teacher”; and, this you must remember always. Therefore, if yo do not know… the late L. F. S. Burnham (and, others like him) were ahead of their time; and, it is about time that you, along with others like yourself wake up and smell the “morning aroma”!
obama plans in the GY budget hehehehehe?
whey cut and paste them and show me Soldier boy. show me where they are the same…….
Pure hogwash.
How many non-Guyanese workers are there with this company? The Government must mandate that foreign companies employ the local population; they should be employed to fill the highest positions of the company. We do not need to import workers when we have a population that need jobs….
Total BS. You think the local population have the skills to execute on all jobs needed to develop the country?
come on man use your head.
Would it not be better to reduce the working hours of each employee accordingly, so that everyone will still be able to enjoy a piece of the cake?
i thought the government said that guyana’s employers aren’t laying off staff…didn’t they say something like that…they need to stop misleading about the crisis…the employers over here don’t pay their employees high wages…but it they did pay well we would’ve been like the states…has anyone in any company received a pay raise this year??????