A recent incident at Zijin Mining’s Aurora Goldfield has brought the precarious conditions faced by workers in the gold mining sector into sharp focus. A visibly frustrated worker confronted management over the lack of essential underground safety equipment, highlighting a deeper, systemic issue of neglect and exploitation in the industry.
For years, workers at this and other mining sites have raised alarms about unsafe tunnels, insufficient protective gear, and chronic health problems underground. Reports of workers collapsing, bleeding from their ears and noses, and sharing safety gear between shifts underscore a troubling level of negligence.
The Health and Safety at Work Regulations mandate essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices, along with penalties for non-compliance. However, many workers continue to face perilous conditions as the burgeoning profitability of the sector, particularly evident in recent reports from the Minister of Finance, fails to translate into safer working environments or fair compensation.
Historically, Guyana Goldfields has been criticized for poor labor practices and a lack of adherence to occupational safety standards. In the past year, the extractive sector has seen increasing visibility regarding unsafe working conditions and unregulated subcontracting, leading to ongoing accidents across various operations, including gold mining, bauxite, and quarrying.
This neglect has been exacerbated by the inadequate response from the government, which has often reacted only after incidents draw public outrage or are exposed through social media. The lack of strong oversight leaves workers feeling desperate and vulnerable.
Sharma Solomon, Member of Parliament, emphasized the need for a turning point in protecting workers’ rights. “The safety, dignity, and rights of Guyanese workers cannot be negotiable,” he stated. “The extractive sector is one of our country’s most profitable industries and must not operate as a lawless entity.”
A thorough investigation involving the Ministry of Labour, occupational safety experts, and a parliamentary oversight committee is essential to address these pressing concerns. Solomon called for the establishment of a National Extractive Workers Protection Framework that includes safe reporting mechanisms, whistleblower protection, and ongoing medical monitoring for underground workers.
“Workers in the mining sector form the backbone of a multibillion-dollar industry and deserve more than reactive promises,” he asserted. “They are valued stakeholders and are owed better representation in the pursuit of safe and dignified working conditions.”
