Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Labour talks at Suriname gold mine deadlocked

Saturday, February 10, 2007

by: Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname are trying to broker a solution in a labour dispute at IAMGold Corp.’s Rosebel gold mine. However, negotiations to reach a collective bargaining agreement are deadlocked after the company rejected a judgement from the Mediation Board, an arbitration council designated to help settle labuor disputes.

In Suriname it is traditional that unions and employers both accept the judgement of the mediation council if they can’t reach an agreement on their own.

At a meeting summoned Tuesday by the Mediation Board, the Rosebel Gold Mines management rejected the board’s judgement and presented the union with a unilaterally amended collective agreement, imposing a 72-hour ultimatum to accept. If the union failed to comply with the company’s demands, Rosebel Gold Mines threatened to cancel all the issues both parties had already resolved and reached an agreement on.

Meanwhile, trade unions and federations strongly condemned the company’s attitude and actions, stating that Rosebel Gold Mines should abide by the law, conventions and regulations in Suriname.

In Thursday’s session in parliament, the opposition and coalition parties also lashed out at the mining company. In addressing this issue, they called upon the government to see to it that the dispute was resolved.

“If we allow this attitute and actions from companies to undermine our institutions and violate our laws, we open the door to chaos and anarchy,” said Jules Wijdenbosch, Member of Parliament and former president of Suriname.

Other MP’s indicated that, since Rosebel Gold Mines is imposing an ultimatum to the workers, perhaps the government should also impose a ultimatum ordering the company to adhere to the laws or risk breaking their contract with the government.

In an attempt to resolve the situation, Labour Minister, Joyce Amarello-Williams, held separate consultations with the management and union leaders. Both parties were advised to refrain from actions that could lead to detoriation of the already very tense sitution.

At a meeting Thursday with about 200 of the 400 employees, union leader Erroll Snijders pleaded with the workers to stay calm and await the outcome of the interventions of the Minister of Labour.

After a meeting with the minister, Rosebel Gold Mines’ manager Denis Meville-Deschenes told reporters that he is confident that parties will come to a solution which is in the interest of the country, the company and the workers.

Workers at the mining plant went on strike a fortnight ago after six months of discussions under the auspices of the Mediation Board failed to produce an agreement.

However the workers ended the work stoppage on Tuesday after the board ordered the workers to resume work and advised the company to allow workers back in at the plant.

The company refused, claiming that damage done to the mill, mining vehicles and other equipment allegedly by workers were still being repaired and that working conditions were unsafe. IAMGold said it will hold the union responsible for damage to the operation and seek legal actions for indemnification.

Toronto-based IAMGold owns 95 percent of Rosebel Gold Mines, while the remaining 5 percent is owned by the Surinamese government.

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