(GINA)  The long awaited tax exempted overtime for workers from the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) will soon be realised.

This revelation was made today, by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence at a meeting with Minister within the Ministry, Keith Scott, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and BCGI officials at the Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department, Brickdam.

The meeting came about following several matters raised when Ministers Lawrence and Scott visited the BCGI recently to inspect working conditions, and listen to issues affecting workers.

The greatest concern from the workers revealed to the Social Protection Ministry teams on their visit was that of workers not being given the opportunity to have a union of their choice. Minister Lawrence said that on her return to Georgetown, she met with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan to discuss the tax exempted overtime. “I did meet with the Minister of Finance… the workers will be given the tax exemption on overtime,” the Minister said.

Linden Prince, Senior Safety Officer, BCGI responded that management was never approached by employees for union representation. However, the company has committed to provide workers the opportunity to have a union of their choice.

Among other concerns raised over the past several years include workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job, staff working for in excess of five years and receiving no raise in pay, staff reporting sick receiving pay eight hours for a three-day period but upon resumption money is deducted from their salary,  poor ventilation in office areas, and no Occupational Safety and Health representative or committee among several other issues.

In response to the issues raised, BCGI’s management said that the company has no knowledge of workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job.

The company’s management said wages and salary increases are provided annually to all regular employees and contractors; however the Social Protection team advised that the company correct any actions that are detrimental to the occupational health and safety of the workers.

Minister Lawrence in her closing remarks emphasised the need for the company to work together with the government to ensure that both the company and employees are protected under Guyana’s law.

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