Unable to operate for days, the majority Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) has said that the blocking of the Berbice River by workers who were recently dismissed is illegal and has denied breaching labour laws in laying off 288 workers.
The company on Friday related this position to the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Social Protection at a meeting. Company representatives also said that BCGI is willing to recall staff who were laid off on the condition that the barrier across the river is removed.
“Our main message to the ministry and to the authorities is that the blockade is an unlawful action according to the laws of Guyana…,” Russian Aluminum (RUSAL)’s country representative Vladimir Permyakov said after meeting with the Department of Labour’s Industrial Relations Consultant Francis Carryl. It was the first time the company had spoken to the press since laying off hundreds of employees.
