Retrenchment of employees sparks controversy in Guyana
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| Published on Monday, January 5, 2009 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Transport and Harbours Department (THD) in Guyana has sent termination letters to 40 of its employees at New Amsterdam and Rosignol who are employed with the Berbice Ferry.
This is as a result of the ferry, which plies between Rosignol and New Amsterdam, no longer carrying cars and other small vehicles since the bridge between Palmyra and Cotton Tree is now in operation.
However there is some dissatisfaction since, according to a Kaieteur News article, the president of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union, Clairmont Pearson, had discussions with the Minister of Transport Robeson Benn and he had agreed that the union would be consulted before action was taken to retrench the workers.
This, Pearson claims, was not done and letters signed by the General Manager of THD were dispatched terminating the services of 40 employees.
However, according to the newspaper report, the minister claims that he was not aware that termination letters were issued.
The union president said that THD disregarded the minister's instructions and went ahead with the process, and he is now seeking a meeting with Benn to discuss the issue.
It is understood that some THD employees at Bartica and Parika will also be laid off.
Meanwhile, some owners of cars and other small vehicles that use the newly constructed Berbice River Bridge claim that the tolls charged on the bridge are excessive and the government should review the fees. | | | | Reads : 665 | | | |
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