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By Mark DaCosta- The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), a major trade union representing workers mostly in agriculture and related fields has issued a strong call for more robust protections for local workers within the oil and gas sector. This renewed advocacy follows the recent firing of 65 workers involved in the high-profile gas-to-energy project led by ExxonMobil.
GAWU, says that is particularly concerned about the treatment of local labour in industries critical to the country’s economic growth, such as oil and gas. The union’s latest call for action follows the dismissal of 65 workers who had been employed on one-year contracts but were let go after just five months, with little explanation from their employers. The workers, many of whom were recruited by contractors working on the ExxonMobil-led project, have expressed frustration over the vague reasons given for their termination, which were linked to “slowing down of work” and references to unspecified clauses in their contracts.
In a press-statement, GAWU condemned the layoffs, describing them as an indication of the broader challenges facing workers in the oil and gas sector. The union expressed particular concern about the apparent disregard for local workers’ rights and the lack of transparency in employment practices within the sector. The union further warned that these types of incidents could signal a growing trend of precarious, short-term employment that offers little to no job security.
The 65 workers, many of whom had relocated from other parts of the country to take up positions on the gas-to-energy project, now find themselves unemployed and uncertain about their future prospects. GAWU’s statement emphasised that these workers were not only denied adequate notice or justification for their dismissal, but many had uprooted their lives in the hope of contributing to a national project, only to be left without recourse.
GAWU’s call for reform is centred on two main issues: transparency and job security. The union has previously advocated for greater protections for local workers in the oil and gas sector, highlighting the need for a stronger, more transparent framework that ensures fair treatment for Guyanese employees. The union also raised concerns about the Local Content Act, which is designed to ensure that a significant portion of the workforce in the oil and gas sector is made up of local employees. While the Act aims to prioritise the employment of Guyanese workers, GAWU fears that local workers may be used merely to meet legal quotas without being offered genuine, long-term employment opportunities.
“We sincerely hope this is not the case but cannot condone our Guyanese workers being treated as mere ‘props’ to satisfy quotas,” GAWU stated in its press release.
The union also emphasised the importance of stronger union representation in the oil and gas sector an area where local workers desperately need a collective voice. According to GAWU, workers in the sector must have the ability to hold employers accountable for fair treatment, as well as ensure that their employment is not contingent upon exploitative short-term contracts.
GAWU called on the government and private sector employers to ensure that employment practices in the oil and gas sector comply not just with the letter of the law, but also with its spirit. “We urge Guyanese to recognise the importance of their rights and to join us in advocating for stronger protections and decent employment,” the union said.
With the sector’s rapid expansion, which is expected to drive significant economic growth, GAWU has stressed that it is vital that the benefits of this growth be shared equitably with the local workforce. In light of the recent layoffs, the union is calling for a stronger framework to ensure local workers are treated fairly and given opportunities for stable, long-term employment.
The union has also called for greater clarity and communication between employers and employees. In this latest instance, many of the dismissed workers were left “clueless” about the reasons for their job losses. GAWU’s press release highlighted that the lack of transparency is only adding to the distress felt by these workers, who are now left in a vulnerable position.
The union says that it continues to advocate for a more sustainable and fair approach to employment in this critical industry. “We are steadfast in our commitment to providing leadership, guidance, and support to workers in the sector, and we urge those responsible to ensure that compliance with the Local Content Act leads to real, lasting employment opportunities for Guyanese workers,” the statement concluded.
As Guyana’s oil and gas industry continues to develop, the union’s call for stronger protections for local workers is a timely reminder of the need for sustainable and equitable practices within this rapidly expanding sector. It remains to be seen how the government and industry stakeholders will respond to GAWU’s concerns.
