Oil companies telling workers not to join unions

- GAWU

Many Guyanese workers in the oil and gas sector have been told that they are not allowed to join unions, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has said.

In a statement issued on Friday, GAWU noted that its Oil and Gas branch continues to be approached by workers who have shared written memos and documents which tacitly inform them that they should stay away from unions.

“The action by the companies smacks of gross disrespect to the Guyanese working-class. All workers of Guyana have an inalienable constitutional right to belong to trade unions. This right is strengthened by the Trade Union Recognition Act which says that employers who seek to dissuade or make employment conditional on workers joining a union shall be guilty of a crime. Therefore, to adopt any policy or measure that aims to prevent workers from becoming organized, in our view, is illegal and cannot be countenanced,” it said.

The union added that it has since informed the Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton of the development and urged him and his ministry to ensure that workers rights are upheld. “The GAWU has learnt that the Minister and Ministry has taken this matter seriously and will soon engage errant firms. We welcome this intervention as the GAWU considers the practices by firms in the sector as a means to divide the workforce. Such measures will, therefore, allow the perpetuation of exploitative practices and diminution of workers’ rights and conditions-of-work,” it added.

The GAWU further said that an organized workforce is a strong workforce and one where rights are respected and where workers are treated with dignity. “At this time, when the sector is generating tens of billions of dollars to treat those who generate the wealth in a disdainful and disrespectful manner is simply abhorrent,” it added.