– water supply under investigation
Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) workers at Mabura, in Region Ten, are back on the job after getting concessions on demands for improved electricity and water supplies.
Over two days last week, workers protested to press their demands, taking to the streets of the interior mining concession at Mabura and calling for the government to step in to resolve the many issues being faced by the Malaysian-owned timber company.
Their main concerns were the reduction of the hours during which electricity was supplied to them and the poor quality of their potable water supply.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said that on Friday last, the workers resumed full duties following an agreement with the company that was favourable to them.
“Our members are now getting 19 hours of electricity,” said Chand, while noting that the company was given two weeks to rectify the problem at the power plant in order to ensure a 24-hour supply. He said the company claimed it was awaiting the arrival of some key components for the power plant, while noting that the parts are manufactured in Singapore.
In June, the company started rationing the supply of electricity to a maximum of nine hours daily.
On the issue of the water supply, Chand revealed that last Saturday Guyana Water Incorporated visited the area at the union’s request to commence an investigation. “They took samples, and as I understand, they are about to complete a report on their findings,” he said.
Workers had complained that they were getting untreated water through their taps, while the company purchased treated water for expatriates.
Stabroek News understands that the population of the community is over 200 persons, including over 120 local workers and about 100 expatriates.
Workers had said they felt discriminated against by the company because from the commencement of the power rationing, management had accommodated expatriates in the administrative and other working areas’ buildings, where they would sleep at nights. “And they leave us here in the township to punish,” a worker said.
There were claims of animals entering the homes of persons in the community during the blackouts at night.
