Members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) at the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) this morning (September 07, 2021) staged a picketing exercise outside of the company calling on the management to respect the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. The workers are peeved over the management’s refusal to replace personal protective equipment (PPE) damaged during the course of their work. Attempts by the GAWU and the workers to have the BBCI replacing damaged PPE have been refused bluntly by the Management.
The workers shared they learnt that the leading manager is reported to have said that the workers have already received their PPE entitlements and they should purchase any replacement. Those sentiments deeply upset the workers especially recognizing that their rights are being trampled. On this score, it is apt to point out that Section 46(1)(a) of the OSH Act says “An employer shall ensure that the equipment materials and protective devices and clothing as prescribed are provided”. It appears that the management and/or manager is either ignorant of the OSH Act or is ignoring the rights of the workers. Whatever the case maybe it cannot be countenanced from any point of view. Moreover, it is almost asinine that the Management would wish to expose itself to such liability. To send a worker to work without adequate protection opens the BBCI to unnecessary liability should the worker sustain an injury which could be mitigated by proper PPE.
Joining the workers was BBCI Director, Faizul Jafferally who expressed his solidarity and support. The BBCI Director was disturbed that the workers rights were being violated. The GAWU and the workers used the opportunity to engage Director Jafferally on some other issues which the Union, for some time, has been addressing with the management. The Director committed to the Union and the workers that he would seek to have the Board addressing these issues within a short time. We are pleased by the Director’s presence, and we look forward to his support.
For the GAWU is it disturbing that the workers must raise their voices in order for their lawful rights to be respected. The struggles for such rights have been waged and won by past generations of the working-class. It demonstrates the workers must be organized and united if they are to protect their gains and advance their lot. We call on the BBCI to ensure that the lives and well-being of its workers are protected at all times as they ensure that safe operation of the vital transport link.
