The working conditions at this Chinese timber operation are unacceptable, the Labour Department should intervene

http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56527214

The working conditions at this Chinese timber operation are
unacceptable, the Labour Department should intervene
Stabroek News, Monday, August 20th 2007

Dear Editor,

We read with disgust in the Kaieteur, Chronicle and Stabroek newspapers
dated August 15, 2007 about the horrible treatment meted out to the
Guyanese workers of Bai Shan Lin Processing Company in Linden.

All these reports show that the company owners have no regard
whatsoever for Guyanese workers health, safety or other rights, that
local workers are terribly discriminated against by this company and
that women workers face the worst discrimination of all. Why should
they be paid less than the men?

All workers have rights and should be treated with respect. Workers
should be able to speak out against things that affect them on the job
without being afraid of losing their jobs. We condemn the dreadful
conditions under which the workers, both male and female, are working
in Bai Lan Processing Company. We urge the Ministry of Labour to
intervene immediately on their behalf. We think the company should be
closed until it is fully equipped with the necessary gears/facilities
for the safety and health of the workers and all workers should be paid
during that period. The woman who lost her finger and was sent home
with only one week's salary should be properly compensated. Women
workers must be paid equally with men.

Why wasn't the Ministry of Labour involv-ed before now? Don't they have
an obligation to the workers? Is it because the EU representative
visited the site that this matter is now brought to light?

The Ministry of Labour should have a system where all working
environments are examined and working conditions approved before
opening for business and these places should also be checked on a
regular basis.

Yours faithfully,

Nicola Joy Marcus

Red Thread