The GAWU on July 15, this year, applied to become the bargaining agent on behalf of the workers employed by the Mahaicony/Abary Rice Development Scheme located at Burma, Mahaicony. The workers approached our Union to become members after they became dissatisfied with their recognised union for several reasons.
We are aware that the TURCB has considered our application and approved the conduct of a survey to determine its veracity. Though several weeks have gone by, our Union understands that the survey is yet to be conducted. The conduct of the survey rests squarely in the hands of the Department of Labour which is charged with implementing the decision of the Board. We gather that a lack of staff has severely restricted the Department’s functioning and despite pleas from officials, it appears, nothing is really done to alleviate the situation. This, of course, is of no help to the nation’s workers who depend on the Department to safeguard their interests and rights.
