The Ministry of Labour in Guyana has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Indian company EKAA HRIM Earth Resources Management to respond to several allegations regarding labor rights violations, including the death of one of its workers. The company, which is headquartered in India, has been asked to address these issues following a statement from the ministry.
The ministry indicated that an investigation into the working conditions at the quarry located in Batavia, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will be conducted. This investigation will cover allegations related to wages, working conditions, and the overall welfare of the workers. The death of an employee on May 12 is also a significant part of this inquiry.
A joint team comprising officers from the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, the Guyana Police Force, and the Trafficking In Persons Unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been mobilized to assess the situation and conduct inquiries into the allegations of poor working conditions and safety violations.
On Monday morning, Minister of Labour Keoma Griffith engaged with the Acting High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Manoj Kumar, regarding the situation. The ministry noted that Minister Griffith played a role in securing the return of the workers’ passports, which had been a concern raised during the discussions.
Following this engagement, a general meeting was held with the 38 Indian nationals employed by the mining company. This meeting allowed the workers to voice their complaints, and the ministry assured them that it is actively monitoring the situation and will take necessary actions to ensure compliance with Guyanese laws.
The ministry did not mention the opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which had brought the issue to public attention. WIN had facilitated the transportation and accommodation of the aggrieved workers before making representations to the Indian High Commission. WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed and executive member Tabitha Sarabo-Ally were present at the ministry with the workers during these discussions.
Source: demerarawaves.com
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