Trade unions have played an important role in the evolution of the rights and protections of workers as it relates to capital, safety and development. While some are wont to believe that the heyday of trade unionism has long come to a fizzling end, unions still play a vital role in protecting our nation’s workers. The complex history of trade unionism in Guyana matched with the fierce drawback it elicits and small gains it seems to garner have seen many workers move away from the idea of labour representation. This is unfortunate as trade unions aim to secure the best working conditions for those under their auspices. Stronger in numbers, they particularly aid in representing the interests of those who are poor and disenfranchised and can be a useful avenue for political change. Given the social and political dynamics at play when it comes to corporate globalization and economic growth in Guyana, the time has never been riper for a strengthening and revolutionizing of our labour unions.
Recent events between the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Russian-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), compounds the vital role of trade unions, particularly as it relates to transnational corporations and the local private sector. BCGI only a few days ago arbitrarily fired over one hundred and forty workers. Workers have rightfully responded by blocking a section of the Berbice River in protest at the firings. This is not the first time BCGI has blatantly violated workers’ rights and it most likely will not be the last given their sketchy history.
For over a decade, this company has been consistent in its disrespect for workers’ rights and the laws of Guyana. Many workers at BCGI have suffered industrial accidents resulting in deaths and severe injuries. Those suffering injuries on the job are often required to pay for their own treatment and recovery. Added to this is their provision of expired and vermin-tainted food to workers. Any resistance to their inhumane and unsanitary work environment comes with a quick and certain dismissal. This cannot be the norm.
Fifty workers were fired in 2009 for exercising their right to strike as protected in Article 147 (2) of the Guyana Constitution. When they refused to accept the paltry 1% increase recommended by the company, BCGI broke off negotiations. This was not the end of it, when workers began industrial action, BCGI would issue a de-recognition letter to the government and GB&GWU although no law permits such a thing. It took close to a decade for the union to be recognized by BCGI. This was done in 2017 and the company is still refusing to operate in good faith with union reps. Last year, workers shut down the Berbice operations of BCGI for over a month after the corporation fired sixty-one workers for striking. Government intervention helped to assuage that one but clearly, workers are still suffering at the hands of BCGI and there seem to be very little long-term solutions.
It is often said that the Russians since their arrival in Guyana have been taking their cues for flouting industrial relations from each successive government. Invited in 2004 by the Jagdeo administration in a deal that still today remains shrouded in secrecy, BCGI has shown grand disinterest in the laws and sovereignty of the country. While foreign investment has the potential to aid in a country’s development, this of course is not often the case. When one considers the power dynamics and forces at play, BCGI’s way of operating and the government’s seeming incapacity to deal with them effectively is not strange.
Political parties face pressure to keep errant corporations in the country due to the very real threat of them moving on. Corporations moving on can see the government being charged with acting against national interests of development by international bodies such as the IMF who are devoted to the neo-liberal agenda. Capital flight can of course make or break any government, no matter how revolutionary thinking some of their leaders are. Hence it should not be surprising that leaders who seize power become powerless on the global stage as no lone person or country can possibly stand up to corporate globalization.
Many corporations such as BCGI have threatened to move investment or operations to other countries if government policies do not align with their goals. In threatening to jump ship, transnational corporations are often able to obtain free government subsidies (at the expense of the taxpayers of course). Currently, BCGI is being investigated over its tax concessions. They have had US$100M in fuel concessions since they came here in the mid-2000s. The government that owns ten percent of BCGI has not seen any on the book returns as the company is always publicly recording a loss while they continue to ship out the nation’s bauxite.
A strong stance must be taken against BCGI and other corporations that continue to stand on the throat of our people and their labour rights. This is a time we must all stand with the bauxite workers and support their union efforts for improved working conditions and increased wages. We cannot rely on the government to make the substantial changes in our labour sector that is needed. As writer and feminist Arundhati Roy said, “Radical change will not be negotiated by governments; it can only be enforced by people.”
