UvAV warns EBS over uneven playing field in OWOS elections

The Unie van Assertieve Vakbonden (UvAV) calls a possible uneven playing field surrounding the OWOS elections “completely unacceptable”. The trade union federation is responding to reports and complaints about how the campaign for the new board of the workers’ organisation at Energie Bedrijven Suriname is being facilitated. The elections are scheduled for September 10, 2026.

According to the UvAV, serious questions have arisen about the position of EBS management during the election campaign. It is alleged that Team Bondru has access to company vehicles and company premises, and that candidates for the board and campaign workers are granted exemptions. According to those same reports, the incumbent board is instead facing restrictions.

The trade union federation stresses that these claims carry considerable weight if they prove to be true. According to the UvAV, this is not only about practical matters such as vehicles, premises or exemptions, but about the principle that a trade union must be able to operate independently of the employer and that workers must be free to choose their representatives.

UvAV demands level playing field in OWOS elections

The UvAV states that an employer cannot be a participant, referee and facilitator at the same time. When one group is given greater access to company resources or facilities than another, the trade union federation says this may create the impression that the employer is exerting influence over the trade union’s internal elections.

The allegations of favouritism have not at this time been independently verified by Key News. It is known, however, that the dispute surrounding the OWOS board has intensified in recent days. OWOS and chairman Marciano Hellings went to the interim relief judge to enforce, among other things, access to EBS premises and a vehicle for election activities. Those claims were rejected. The precise reasoning behind the ruling had not yet been made public at the time of the initial reporting.

ILO rules protect free trade union choice

The UvAV refers to ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association. It establishes that workers’ organisations have the right to freely elect their representatives, organise their administration and activities themselves, and determine their programme independently. It also stipulates that public authorities must refrain from interference that restricts these rights.

In addition, the trade union federation points to ILO Convention 98. Article 2 stipulates that workers’ organisations must enjoy protection against interference by employers or their representatives in the establishment, functioning and administration of the organisation. The convention also cites financial or other support as a possible form of interference when that support is intended to place a workers’ organisation under the employer’s control.

The employer does not choose the trade union’s board. The workers do so themselves.

CEO should not be a party

The UvAV believes that the CEO and other members of EBS management should also stay out of the internal choice for the OWOS board. According to the trade union federation, management should not create circumstances through access, exemptions or other facilities that could give one candidate list an advantage over another.

At the same time, the UvAV stresses that it does not itself support any candidate or list. The trade union federation says it is solely standing up for trade union freedom, independence and fair OWOS elections. If company facilities are used for campaign activities, the organisation says they must be made available on the basis of rules known in advance and applied equally.

Earlier tensions between EBS and OWOS

The warning comes against the background of a long-standing strained relationship between EBS management and the OWOS board led by Hellings. Conflicts had also arisen earlier over trade union activities, employment conditions and the position of the union chairman. In April, Key News reported on the tensions between OWOS and EBS management, in which President Jennifer Simons was also involved.

According to the UvAV, this history makes additional restraint by EBS management necessary. The trade union federation wants to prevent previous conflicts from affecting the campaign and thereby undermining workers’ confidence in the outcome of the OWOS elections.

Call ahead of election day

The UvAV calls on EBS to immediately maintain full neutrality, not to favour any candidate directly or indirectly, and to apply the same rules to everyone. The trade union federation also requests clarity on the use of company vehicles, company premises, exemptions and other facilities during the election period.

According to the trade union federation, on September 10 only the vote of OWOS members must ultimately determine who forms the new board. The organisation calls on all parties to remain calm and respect internal democracy. A response from EBS and Team Bondru to the specific allegations could provide greater clarity on the actual course of events surrounding the campaign and the OWOS elections.