The Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) has expressed profound concern regarding the propaganda statements produced by the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation management, which now pressures their employees into signing these statements.
In a statement issued by the Union’s General Secretary, Sherwood Clarke, members of the CCWU are spearheading liberation struggles aimed at dismantling oppressive systems linked to brutal and exploitative working conditions, while also championing the recognition of workers’ rights as fundamental human rights.
While many rights issues are perceived as contentious, the concerns surrounding exploitative working conditions and overtime hours have emerged between the CCWU and CJIA.
The Union has reviewed and clarified all labour laws of Guyana alongside the Collective Labour Agreement.
1. Regarding Hours of Work, THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE (2016), ORDER under THE LABOUR ACT (Cap: 98:01), Clause 6 (Normal Hours of Work) states that notwithstanding any other regulation or order, the standard workweek shall consist of forty hours, not exceeding five days per week.
2. The Hours of Work rates specified in the Labour (Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers) Act stipulate that, unless otherwise provided by law, every worker employed on a Sunday or a public holiday shall receive minimum overtime pay at one and a half times their hourly rate for all hours worked on such days. Section (4)(2) of the same Act is self-explanatory.
3. The current Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) references Clause Three, which addresses overtime: “Although overtime is not mandatory, there may be instances when staff are required to work additional hours. In such cases, the Corporation will endeavour to provide employees with reasonable notice. All staff authorised to work overtime shall be compensated at the following rates:
I. Employees permitted to work beyond the basic forty hours per week shall receive one and a half times their basic hourly rate for all overtime hours worked.
II. Employees authorised to work on their days off or Sundays shall receive double their basic hourly rate.
III. Employees who are granted permission to work on the following Public Holidays shall be compensated at double their hourly rate:
1. Phagwah Day
2. Good Friday
3. Easter Monday
4. Eid-Ul-Azah
5. Labour Day
6. Christmas Day
All other holidays will be compensated at one and a half times their basic hourly rate.
According to Clarke, the Agreement between the union and employer, the ‘Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes’ section states that if any question arises between the parties concerning the interpretation of this Agreement, which leads to a failure to reach an agreement, it shall be referred to the Chief Labour Officer for resolution.
Clarke is contending that under the chairmanship of Dhaneshwar Deonarine, the Chief Labour Officer has ruled in favour of the employees at Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIA), despite conciliation efforts made on 2nd September 2024.
He further advised that during that process, management failed to act in good faith. “The Chief Labour Officer has now formally declared a deadlock in the matter.”
Resulting from management’s action the CCWU said it shall be sending a letter to President Ali requesting intervention to interpret the overtime clause in the CLA between the CCWU and CJIA.
Clarke said the International Trade Union bodies which represent over 40 million workers from 670 trade unions across 150 countries, stand ready to support CCWU in its efforts to address the concerns of the employees of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIA).
