Dear Editor,
The recent armed robbery at G-Mining Ventures in the interior of Region Seven has left many Guyanese shaken—not only because of what happened, but because of what it reminds us of. Our brothers and sisters who work in the interior face real dangers every day, often far from their families, proper medical care, and immediate help.
The workers who were held at gunpoint during this incident are not just employees on a roster. They are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and providers who went to work expecting to return home safely. No one should have to carry the trauma of staring down a gun simply because they chose honest work in a remote location.
For years, interior workers have quietly carried the burden of long separations from home, harsh living conditions, and limited support. Incidents like this bring that reality into sharp focus. While the nation benefits from gold production and economic activity, the people doing the work too often feel forgotten once they move beyond the coastland.
This incident raises necessary but human questions. Were enough safeguards in place? Do workers have adequate training and support when emergencies arise? Are companies and state agencies doing all they reasonably can to protect those who labour deep in the interior?
This is a serious issue, and it is my sincere hope that the Ministry of Labour and Manpower will give this matter urgent attention and ensure that company security is modern, properly equipped, and capable of safeguarding the lives of workers.
Development should never come at the cost of fear, trauma, or silence. Interior workers are not expendable. They deserve to feel valued, protected, and respected—not only after an incident, but every single day they report for duty.
Let this not be just another headline. Let it be a moment where we listen, reflect, and commit to doing better for the men and women who help build this country under the most difficult conditions.
Yours truly,
Lorenzo Joseph
United Workers Party (UWP) Activist
Trade Unionist
Region 10
