By Mark DaCosta- Conflicting accounts from government officials, company representatives and the workers themselves have deepened the controversy surrounding 38 Indian nationals employed by EKAA HRIM Earth Resources, with the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) accusing Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith of obstructing efforts by opposition parliamentarians to assist workers who claim they were trafficked, underpaid and denied control of their passports.
The dispute erupted into public view on May 16 by WIN, followed by a protest by the workers outside the Ministry of Labour, demanding payment of outstanding wages and assistance to return to India after nearly three years at the company’s quarry operation in Region Seven. The demonstration drew several opposition parliamentarians, including WIN leader and Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed, who publicly backed the workers’ demands and called for a full investigation into what he described as potential violations of Guyana’s laws, including possible human trafficking offences.
The controversy burst into the national spotlight on May 16 when WIN publicly raised concerns about the treatment of dozens of Indian workers employed at EKAA HRIM Earth Resources. The matter intensified days later as the workers protested outside the Ministry of Labour, demanding unpaid wages, the return of their passports and assistance to return home after nearly three years at the Region Seven quarry. Their plight drew several opposition parliamentarians to the protest, including WIN leader and Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed, who called for a full investigation into what he said could constitute serious breaches of Guyana’s laws, including possible human trafficking offences.
In a statement issued on May 22, WIN accused the Labour Minister of interfering with the rights of opposition leaders and parliamentarians seeking to advocate on behalf of the workers. The party argued that while the government publicly stated it was taking the allegations seriously, its actions appeared inconsistent with that position.
At the heart of the controversy are reports by the workers that their passports were confiscated, wages remain outstanding, and that they wish to return home. The passports were returned. Those claims have raised questions about possible labour exploitation and human trafficking, placing renewed scrutiny on the treatment of foreign workers in Guyana amid the country’s expanding economy and increasing reliance on imported labour.
The allegations stand in stark contrast to the position advanced by EKAA HRIM Earth Resources.
During a May 21 press conference, Chief Operating Officer Shiva Kumar denied wrongdoing and sought to explain the unrest among the workers. Kumar maintained that only 37 workers, not 38, were involved and suggested that tensions had escalated following the death of employee Shekhar Chhetri. He also alleged that a third party had intervened and influenced the workers after removing them from the company’s supervision.
Company attorney Yoganand Persaud similarly rejected allegations of exploitation, contending that many workers wished to return to their jobs and that those seeking to leave would have to engage the company in discussions regarding their departure.
Yet the company’s explanations have done little to quiet public concern. Assertions that workers voluntarily handed over their passports for safekeeping have been met with skepticism, particularly in light of the workers’ public protests and demands for intervention.
The government’s handling of the matter has also generated controversy.
On May 20, Minister Griffith confirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning had launched an investigation into the allegations and pledged that the workers’ claims would be taken seriously. However, critics argue that official statements have done little to clarify key issues, including the status of the investigation, the workers’ legal protections and whether any preliminary findings have emerged.
Those questions intensified on Saturday when WIN issued a follow-up statement asserting that several critical matters remain unresolved.
According to the party, EKAA has not agreed to cover return airfare for workers seeking to return to India. WIN also said the company has not provided a definitive commitment regarding outstanding wages, although it indicated that an internal review is ongoing and that payments are expected before May 27.
The party further noted that the Trafficking in Persons Unit has already taken statements from all 38 workers but has not publicly disclosed any findings or provided an update on the progress of its investigation.
WIN also criticised what it described as the silence of the Ministries of Human Services and Home Affairs, questioning why no public statements have been issued by the ministers responsible for those portfolios despite the seriousness of the allegations.
The controversy has resonated widely on social media, where many citizens have expressed support for the workers and questioned the adequacy of the official response. The dispute has also reignited broader concerns about labour oversight, migrant worker protections and the effectiveness of Guyana’s anti-trafficking safeguards.
For now, the workers remain caught in uncertainty as they await answers on their wages, travel arrangements and future. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the company and state agencies to provide transparency and determine whether labour laws, immigration regulations or anti-trafficking protections may have been breached.
With investigations ongoing and competing narratives continuing to emerge, the central questions remain unanswered: what exactly occurred at the quarry operation, and what action will be taken if the workers’ allegations are substantiated.
