During a press conference, at which affected employees brought their complaints to attention, Grep described the situation within Canawaima as dire. According to him, there are structural problems that not only affect working conditions, but also raise questions about the way the company is managed. “The situation is dire. There is an RvC there that interferes in everything,” Grep stated. He stressed that the supervisory board has an oversight function and that day-to-day operations fall under the responsibility of management.
According to the trade unionist, it appears that the terminal manager is not taking sufficient responsibility for the problems within the organisation. He also made allegations of aggressive behaviour in the workplace. These allegations have not yet been independently established.
Salaries and holiday pay calculated incorrectly
One of the main complaints concerns the financial treatment of employees. Grep claims that salaries are repeatedly calculated incorrectly and that employees are still owed money due to incorrect calculations of their holiday pay. “Salaries that are continually calculated incorrectly. Holiday pay that has been calculated incorrectly and the difference has still not been paid out,” he said.
According to Grep, it is unacceptable that employees must continue waiting for amounts to which they believe they are entitled. He wonders why management is not taking adequate measures to resolve these problems.
Medical cards expired and sick leave questioned
The medical provisions for staff are also causing problems, according to the trade unionist. He stated that medical cards that had expired on 31 October were only reissued to employees on 4 November. Grep believes that such administrative matters must be arranged in time, so that employees do not find themselves without the necessary provisions in the event of illness.
He also cited a case in which an employee had allegedly been granted two days of sick leave by a doctor. Canawaima management then reportedly contacted the employee’s daughter, who according to his statement is a doctor, with the request to withdraw the granted sick days.
Grep says he advised the employee not to cooperate with such a request. He does not rule out that a complaint will be filed with the Staatsziekenfonds (SZF; State Health Insurance Fund) if it appears that unauthorised pressure was exerted on a doctor.
Complaints about threats and preferential treatment
In addition to the work-related problems, Grep spoke about alleged threats against staff members. According to him, employees face situations in which they are pressured while carrying out their duties.
The trade unionist also raised questions about the situation surrounding the crossing between Suriname and Guyana. He recounted a personal experience in which he arrived at the terminal early in the morning and was the 21st vehicle in line. He assumed that he would be able to leave on the first boat, but later heard that a priority list was being used. Grep suggested that some travellers may receive preferential treatment. He also stated that travellers do not always show the required tickets. He wants these practices to be investigated as well.
Interest group announces five lawsuits
The Canawaima Belangengroep announced during the press conference that it intends to file five lawsuits against the Canawaima Management Company. The group also speaks of alleged discrimination and increasing ethnic tensions within the organisation.
The employees involved are being assisted by Grep and legal expert Mitchel Fitz-James. According to Grep, several employees are involved in conflicts with the company management. He referred, among other things, to a legal matter involving a woman with the surname Enser, but did not elaborate on the case due to a request not to make public statements about it.
Previous investigations into Canawaima
The new complaints come at a time when Canawaima has already been under pressure for some time due to administrative and financial problems. Key News previously reported that Minister Landveld had ordered an investigation into the financial administration and business operations over a five-year period. This would include scrutiny of financial accountability, personnel decisions, internal controls and management responsibilities. The minister also acknowledged at the time that the supervisory board was becoming too involved in operational matters. He advocated for a clearer separation between management and oversight.
A terminal manager and an adviser were also previously suspended due to an internal conflict. The results of the investigation announced at the time were expected to provide clarity on possible next steps.
Call to President Simons
During his statement, Grep addressed the president directly. He believes that the head of state should also apply her announced no-nonsense policy to the situation at Canawaima. According to him, individuals are placed in positions of responsibility with the intention that they carry out their duties properly. If this does not happen, the trade unionist believes intervention is necessary.
“I have confidence in the ministry, particularly the Minister of TCT, that they will conduct an in-depth investigation,” Grep said. He also called on Simons to hold her minister accountable and ensure that employees’ complaints are treated seriously.
