Bai Shan Lin now complying with labour regulations …transactions with Demerara Timbers not a sale

Bai Shan Lin now complying with labour regulations
…transactions with Demerara Timbers not a sale
Kaieteur News, 9 September 2007

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.