The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning says it has resolved several concerns raised by 37 Indian workers employed by EKAA HRIM Resource Management at Batavia, Region Seven, while continuing efforts to address repatriation arrangements and occupational safety issues.
In a statement issued on May 29, the Ministry said it has been actively engaged with the workers and the company in keeping with its mandate to protect the rights and welfare of all employees in Guyana.
The workers, who had raised concerns about the withholding of passports, unpaid wages, contractual arrangements and working conditions, became the subject of public scrutiny in recent weeks after complaints surfaced regarding their treatment at the quarry operation.
Addressing the passport issue, the Ministry said employees had informed officials that their passports were being withheld by the company. The company, however, maintained that the documents had been voluntarily lodged for safekeeping.
According to the Ministry, the company subsequently produced a ledger showing dates on which workers collected their passports to conduct transactions such as obtaining driver’s licences, opening bank accounts and remitting money to relatives in India, before returning the documents.
“The ledger also showed the signatures of workers on each occasion when passports were uplifted and returned,” the Ministry stated.
“As it currently stands, the issue concerning passports has been resolved, and the workers are now in possession of their passports.”
The Ministry also reported that all outstanding wages had been paid. It said that on May 25, employees received their outstanding April salaries as well as wages owed up to May 16, 2026. Copies of bank transfers and payment breakdowns were subsequently provided to the Ministry by the company.
A separate complaint involving an alleged US$2,500 owed to workers was investigated after employees claimed the money had been withheld.
The Ministry said workers were asked to provide employment contracts and supporting documentation. An examination of the contracts revealed that 11 workers possessed agreements stating that US$2,500 would be deducted and paid as a bonus upon completion of their contractual period. However, those contracts contained clauses stipulating that they were governed by the laws of Mauritius in some cases and the United Arab Emirates in others.
The remaining 26 workers held contracts that provided for a lower salary during the first six months of employment, with increased remuneration commencing from the seventh month onward.
The Ministry concluded that there was no evidence supporting the workers’ claim that monies were being withheld.
“In the circumstances, there was no evidence to support the contention that the monies were being withheld from the workers, nor was any contract presented that could be applied to the laws of Guyana for enforcement,” the statement said.
The Ministry also provided an update on the status of the workers. It said the company remains willing to repatriate employees with three months or less remaining on their contracts despite what it considers to be breaches of contract by some workers.
Five employees fall into that category, and discussions are ongoing regarding arrangements for their return to India.
Meanwhile, 15 workers have indicated that they wish to remain in Guyana and continue working. The Ministry said it has already secured employment opportunities for those individuals and is advancing the process of obtaining the necessary work permits.
The remaining 17 workers are the subject of ongoing discussions involving the Indian High Commission and other stakeholders regarding possible repatriation. The Ministry said it remains willing to assist those workers should they choose to seek employment in Guyana.
The statement also addressed occupational safety and health complaints raised by workers at the quarry site. According to the Ministry, investigations were conducted and recommendations were made to management to address the concerns.
“The Ministry remains engaged to ensure that the identified recommendations are fulfilled and the workspace is such that it complies with all occupational safety and health protocols,” it said.
The dispute involving the workers has drawn attention to the broader issue of foreign labour recruitment and employment practices in Guyana, particularly as the country’s expanding mining, construction and oil-and-gas sectors continue to attract migrant workers from countries such as India, China and several Caribbean nations.
The Ministry said it remains committed to exercising its lawful authority in protecting the rights of all workers in Guyana, regardless of nationality.
“The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning remains committed to exercising its lawful authority in the protection of all workers in Guyana, whether local or foreign,” the statement added.
