Workers dismissed from DTL calling for government’s intervention

A group of the eleven workers who were recently dismissed from the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) along with officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) today staged a picketing exercise outside of the Ministry of the Presidency.

The workers are calling on the Government to intervene in an effort to have their dismissal rescinded.

The workers were handed dismissal letters for taking part in a peaceful picketing exercise outside the Company’s Head Office on October 03, 2016 calling on DTL to engage in good faith bargaining.

According to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), “this is the first time in history, that an entity; private or public, has taken such a decision of such an incredulous nature”.

The company has since rebuffed interventions sought by the Ministry of Social Protection to address the dispute.

“The Company’s response must be seen as nothing other than blatant disrespect of DTL for the Ministry and the concerned workers” GAWU said in a statement today.

The workers carried placards bearing slogans including “DTL not above the law”, “President must ensure Ministry asserts its authority”, “DTL disrespectful to Union, workers and Ministry”, “Government sleeping – DTL workers remain dismissed” and “We are dismissed for peaceful picketing – Government must act now!”

The union urged the Government to uphold its authority and, therefore, ensure that the foreign-owned Company respects the laws of Guyana as well as the established principles and conventions which are integral to the welfare of citizens.