
Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc (OCGI), headquartered in Germany, declared the closure of its transhipment service in Guyana, post-Rusal’s majority-owned Bauxite Company closed down its operation. As a result of this decision, more than 130 workers were sent home.

On 21st April’20, Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc. said: “Unfortunately, OCGI’s customer in Guyana has decided to suspend and mothball its operation in Guyana and thus not to extend the operational contract with OCGI. Consequently, OCGI is forced to wind down operations in Guyana.”
OCGI has been performing a barging and transhipments operation for bauxite exports on the Berbice River since 2005, but Oldendorff decided to wind up operations in Guyana after RUSAL sent home about 300 workers due to an unresolved labour dispute and unrest by dissatisfied workers.
OCGI stated that on 20th April’20 it delivered the letters of notice to the office of the Chief Labour Officer and the workers’ union. The company promised to work closely with the Chief Labour Officer to ensure that the wind-down is done following Guyanese law.
OCGI, presently employed 132 Guyanese staffs in the Berbice region and had been contracted by RUSAL to transit bauxite from its operations in the Upper Berbice River to the transhipment station at the mouth of the Berbice River where large ocean-going vessels had picked up consignments destined for other countries.
The company reported that it will also work together with the Ministry of Social Protection and the Department of Labour to ensure that all employees receive their due compensation under Guyanese law and assist in finding other jobs.
OCGI also said: “Wherever possible, OCGI will work with our employees, the government and other stakeholders to redeploy employees affected by the wind-down.”
The company expressed the deepest regret to close down its operations in Guyana. Over the past 15 years, OCGI says it has developed a very dedicated and loyal workforce who has performed very well, often under difficult conditions.
OCGI said: “It is very proud of what it has achieved together with its employees in Guyana, as it has developed wonderful working relationships with the people of Guyana, particularly in New Amsterdam and up the Berbice River. The Company is truly sad to leave this beautiful country.”
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