Deplorable wages and working conditions at Bai Shan Lin Linden operations

http://www.guyanachronicle.com/topstory.html#Anchor-Deplor-40451
Deplorable wages and working conditions at Bai Shan Lin Linden
operations
Agri Minister insists that the company has to comply with occupational
health and safetystandards
By Neil Marks
Guyana Chronicle, 15 August 2007

Bai Shan Lin Linden manager Earl Julian explains the sawmill operations
to new EC Ambassador to Guyana Geert Heikens (second, right).
Workers employed by a Chinese forestry company in Linden are
complaining bitterly about the poor wages and deplorable safety
conditions under which they have to work.


The poor working conditions for workers were evident yesterday when the
new European Commission (EC) Ambassador to Guyana Mr Geert Heikens,
accompanied by the local media visited the sawmill operations of the
company, which earlier this year announced massive investment plans.

A young woman, paid $1000 a day, fetches wood with no gloves, no
respiratory mask, and without safety booths or helmets – and the
reality is much the same for the other workers of the Coomaka, Linden
operations of Chinese owned company Bai Shan Lin.

The workers said they are not happy with their low wages and the poor
working conditions, but they have nowhere to turn to.

According to Earl Julian, the onsite manager, workers safety and rights
is of paramount importance to the company, but this was hardly evident.

The female workers are paid $1, 000, while the male workers are paid
$1, 500. Julian said safety gears, such as helmets, are not being
provided, because in the past the workers have carried them home and
never returned them.

Some workers disputed this. One young man said for him to get a
respiratory mask, he has to “bully” to get one, but some of the workers
did had on masks.

The company employs 46 Guyanese workers, all of whom Julian said are
from Linden, where jobs are hard to come by. The sawmill operations
also employs 38 Chinese nationals. The Chinese workers live in dorms on
site.

A notice in the sawmill meant for for Guyanese workers only, states
that they would be dismissed immediately if they fail to inform their
superiors when leaving the job for the day.

The workers say they are not sure of how their concerns are being
addressed since the manager, Julian, speaks Chinese and English, so
when he converses with the Chinese bosses they are left in the dark as
to what is being said.

During the visit yesterday it was observed that the workers were having
lunch amidst the dust and floor boards which are processed from logs.
The workers said they would like representatives of the Ministry of
Labour to inspect the site to see their plight.

Minister of Agriculture Mr Robert Persaud, who oversees the forestry
sector, said every company is expected to comply with minimum
occupational health and safety regulations of the country and if there
are violations ‘we would take appropriate action”.

“We expect every company to respect workers rights,” Persaud said.

Persaud earlier this year refused a request by Bai Shan Lin to export
round logs for a period of 12 months.

In discussions between the government and the company, the management
of Bai Shan Lin emphasised their interest in promoting value added
activities in the forestry sector, and a commitment was made not to
engage in the export of round logs.

“Unfortunately, Bai Shan Lin did not comply with its commitment not to
export round logs. After observing requests for the exports of round
logs by the company, it was advised that this was in breach of their
commitment. No further export of round logs would be allowed by the
company and all relevant agencies have been so advised,” the Ministry
of Agriculture said in April.

The EU Ambassador’s visit to the site followed the fact the Linden
Economic Advancement Project (LEAP) assisted the initial investors in
accessing the site and obtaining investment incentives and in the
recruitment of personnel for the company.

The operation was previously owned by a Chinese investor – Karlam South
America Timbers, but Bai Shan Lin took over the company that is a joint
venture with the China Uni-Construction Group which has 49% ownership.