GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) is calling on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to investigate allegations that “race, ethnicity and political affiliations” are at the centre of the ongoing wage dispute with the Russian-based RUSAL Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BGGI).

The union has also asked Ambassador Pavel Sergiev, the Russian envoy based here to bring the matter “to the attention of the Government of Russia and with the urgency that it deserves”.

In a letter sent to the ERC, the union said it had lost confidence in Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir, and BGGI general manager Sergey Kostyuk, in dealing with the situation at the company.

Relations between GB&GWU and BCGI soured late last year after wage negotiations stalled and the bauxite company unilaterally initiated steps to ‘de-recognise’ the union.

GB&GWU said that “race, ethnicity and political affiliations appear to be at the center of the decision making, affecting operations of the union, workers, their families and the communities of Linden, Aroaima and Kwakwani for which Bauxite is the main economic pillar of support.”

In its letter, the union said “the impasse between BCGI and GB&GWU resulted in a strike due to the company’s refusal to pay increase wages demanded by the union and the subsequent suspension?and dismissal of workers, inclusive of all the union’s branch leaders.”

Rusal owns 55 per cent of Jamaica’s bauxite holdings.