Approximately thirty-five (35) workers of the Rosignol location of the Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR) received last Saturday (September 19, 2020) food hampers from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. The workers whom are represented by the GAWU were, without any forewarning, laid off for six (6) weeks earlier this month. The company said that it hadn’t been able to sell its products prompting the decision to shut down operations. The sudden closure, for the mainly female workforce, hit hard and many of the workers were simply unprepared for a loss in income at this time.
The GAWU reached out to Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and shared the plight of the workers. Minister Persaud agreed immediately to assist and provided the hampers which were distributed. At a simple presentation activity, Minister Persaud interacted with the workers by telephone. The workers expressed their deep appreciation for the Minister’s assistance and were most grateful. GAWU’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine who spoke at last Saturday’s activity also thanked the Minister and told the workers that the Union stands with them in this difficult time. He said that the Union continues to engage the company and is hopeful that some relief could also come from that end as well. So far, the foreign-owned AMCAR has refused to even provide the workers their statutory leave entitlements. The workers also thanked the Union for standing up and with them at a most difficult time. They said they were heartened by the Union seeking to find ways to provide them with the assistance they received and were convinced that the GAWU had their interests at heart.
AMCAR, which produces mainly Heart of the Palm for export from its Rosginol location, has seemingly turned its back on its workers who generate its wealth. The apparent uncaring attitude by the company has left a most bitter taste in the workers mouths who continue to give their best. The workers shared at no time they had the slightest indication that the company would close operations until rumours began to swirl around just a few days prior to the official announcement. Even the Union was not informed until it made contact with the company. We see the arm’s length approach to the Union and the workers as unhelpful and does not engender a good relationship. We nevertheless are hopeful that the company can recover and the workers can return to work with sustained efforts to consolidate relations.
