Kaieteur News headline article, 28 February 2008

Kaieteur News headline article, 28 February 2008

http://www.kaieteurnewsgy.com/


Bai Shan Lin now complying
with labour regulations
...transactions with Demerara Timbers not a sale
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, commenting on the Bai Shan Lin
fiasco, has said that following reports in the media about labour
infractions, he has requested that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) work
with the Ministry of Labour to ensure compliance at the Chinese operated
sawmills.
Persaud reported that the company has submitted several reports to suggest
that it is now complying with the labour regulations. He added, however,
that the monitoring has to be ongoing.
Persaud noted that there have also been similar reports of infractions at
Barama Company Limited.
According to Persaud, he has instructed the relevant stakeholders to conduct
random, unannounced inspections to ensure 100 per cent compliance.
Previously, visits were conducted in a planned way thus allowing deviant
entities to prepare for the forestry officers and labour officials.
Kaieteur News was bombarded by complaints by local workers at the Bai Shan
Lin forestry operations at Coomaka, in Region Ten.
Workers at the Chinese-owned sawmill had unanimously complained about what
they called discrimination towards Guyanese workers and even called the
operation "a slave camp."
Earl Julian, site manager, commenting on workers' safety, had stated that
standards commonly implemented are not enforced.
During a tour of the site, Kaieteur News observed several workers operating
without the necessary safety gear that would be commonly in place in such a
hazardous environment.
Workers were observed working in slippers.
Female workers were also employed for the laborious task of stacking wood.
Each worker that spoke to any media operative at the time was extremely
cautious of the Chinese personnel seeing them talking to the media for fear
of losing their jobs.
A particularly disturbing practice was also observed; a notice was placed
for all to see that read: " It has been observed that Guyanese members of
staff have cultivated a habit of leaving the compound without notification
and authorization...With effect Monday 9th July all Guyanese member of staff
must obtain the relevant permission from management before leaving the
compound...Failure to do so will result in their immediate dismissal."
And according to Persaud, the report that he is in receipt of information
pertaining to the buyout of Demerara Timbers was inaccurate. He indicated
that it is neither a sale nor a transfer of concessions.
He stated that what was represented was more of a management support
alliance.
Following meetings with GFC and senior management of Demerara Timbers
Limited (DTL) and Bai Shan Lin (BSL), the companies pointed out that there
has been no sale and DTL is in 100 per cent control of its concession and
the logging operation.
According to Persaud, the entities stand fast in that there has been no
transfer of shares or assets to BSL.
He added that according to the information that has been presented to him,
DTL is contemplating getting into a value added aspect of business because
they lack the necessary expertise to develop the products or market them.
Kaieteur news understands that neither party has ruled out the option of a
complete or partial takeover sometime in future.
According to Persaud, there is nothing illegal about what was presented to
his office.
He did confirm, however, that Guyana does not own any shares in DTL hence
they would not have a say in any sale.
Persaud pointed out that in the event of a transfer of concession, then it
would have to gain the attention of his office given that they did not own
the land; rather it was leased.