An Indian logging company shows a blatant disrespect towards Guyana’s labor laws
– Enforces employees to inhuman conditions
– Fails to comply with COVID-19 rules, etc.
Minister engages with VHI representatives on Thursday
Labor Minister Joseph Hamilton and his technical team during their recent survey exercise. (Photo Credit: DPI)
Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Labor (MOL) has highlighted the blatant disregard for Guyana’s Labor Legislation by India’s logging company, Vaitarna Holdings Private Incorporated (VHI), following a meeting held with company representatives on Thursday. Ministry of Labor and Occupational Health and Safety. Officials (OHS) recently conducted a visit to the Wineperu works site in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) where VHI was cited for inadequate employee living conditions and some health and safety violations; however, Labor Minister Joseph Hamilton was so concerned about inhuman company standards that led to a meeting being held. We started with Hamilton denying the “poor working conditions and environment”, seen on the job site on his visit. There were also clear violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and Labor Legislation, specifically on overtime payments to employees according to the statement. The human rights conditions were also described as poor and there was complete absence of the gazetted COVID-19 Protocols being practiced.
Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, Minister Hamilton explained on the company’s crimes.
As it relates to the poor human rights conditions in the workplace, Hamilton explained that it is mainly centered around the substandard living quarters. He revealed that workers’ houses were like “logies”, with a whole family sharing very cramped living space. He said husbands, wives and children were sleeping in the same area and beds were being closed along with kitchens nearby. He described it as dangerous because there is no separation in the event of a fire, thereby putting everyone at risk.
Outlining the health and safety offenses, the Minister highlighted that the company had high tension power lines three feet from the ground, meaning that anyone could walk into them which is a risk. It must be noted that workers and their family, which includes children, walk through the workplace. He also stated that there were a number of sawmill facilities on site and that “water and electricity (facilities) are married” [meaning that they are very close], despite the active presence of employees in the area. Hamilton lamented that there does not appear to be any concern for safety at the work site, adding that woodchip four or three feet high is dumped on the roads and completely covered. “There is no cleaning on site,” recalled the Minister.
Furthermore, he revealed that the company does not have a medical facility or doctors on site, and the employees are not only trained in first aid administration. In light of that, he claimed that if any employee were seriously injured, there is a possibility that they could suffer death. The nearest medical outlet in the area is several miles away from the site.
Regarding the lack of overtime payments, Hamilton said it was found after the Ministry had accessed some of the company’s books. He added that the law allows labor officials to request VHI books to see if the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and tax payments of its employees through the Guyana Finance Authority are fulfilled. This is still being checked.
The company was also guilty of giving inconsistent figures about the number of employees it has employed.
With all the crimes highlighted by VHI, the Minister revealed that he could offer them no protection. He called the company “a tragic place to work”, stating that it is relentless and will end its interactions.
Considering the company’s position was inconceivable, at Thursday’s meeting, the executives committed to restoring the cuts. Hamilton will visit the site in the second quarter of this year and in the meantime, MOL labor officers are expected to visit monthly to guarantee that such a thing is being done. Officers also noted that a progress report will be provided within the next six weeks.
Hamilton’s recent visit to VHI was due to a robust OHS campaign currently underway with the aim of maximizing compliance across all sectors across the country.