For Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed, the Batavia case in Region Seven involving the 38 Indian nationals who alleged that they were subjected to poor working conditions on a quarry was unlike anything he had ever seen before and resembled “modern-day slavery.”
In an interview with Kiskadee Watch days after he assisted 34 of the workers to return to India (four decided to stay and continue working), he likened the situation to an indentured labour arrangement, noting that it has raised serious concerns about the treatment of migrant workers and the state of labour protections in Guyana.
He said that his visit to the quarry operations of Indian company, Ekaa Hrim Earth Resources Management Inc. revealed the exploitation of Indian nationals. Apart from the one Guyanese worker there, the company employed predominantly Indian nationals across its operations for jobs like truck drivers, labourers, mechanics, service personnel and cooks – all of which could have easily been filled by Guyanese workers.
Mohamed contended that the company was taking advantage of the migrants by paying them low wages and withholding payments, noting that workers’ passports were kept upon arrival in Guyana and that those wishing to return to India before the expiration of their contracts were required to pay US$5,000.
He said that after he brought public attention to the workers’ plight, the Indian High Commission agreed to engage with them, despite claims that complaints sent by workers over the previous two to three years had gone unanswered. He noted that Labour Minister Keoma Griffith subsequently convened a multi-agency team comprising representatives from the Ministries of Human Services and Home Affairs, as well as the Chief Labour Officer, but contended that no meaningful action resulted and that the company continues to operate.
Critics have said that neither the Labour Ministry nor the Police or the Trafficking in Persons Unit examined whether passports were illegally withheld and whether the company should be investigated for this. It was also argued that the principals of the company had ties with the government and there was little interest in pursuing the matters. It was also not explained by the government why three dozen labourers were imported from India for the quarry when these jobs should have gone to Guyanese.
Mohamed said he personally spent approximately $18 million to facilitate the workers’ return to India and described Guyana’s labour standards as inadequate, arguing that the Ministry of Labour lacks the manpower needed to effectively monitor workplaces, and noting that the country has only about 22 labour inspectors to oversee all of the sites in the country.
Recounting his visit to the company’s facility, Mohamed said the experience was “like a movie.” He charged that workers lived in fear, were discouraged from using their phones, and had their internet access cut off whenever they attempted to raise complaints.
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has maintained that it had been actively addressing the concerns raised by the workers and has disputed some of the allegations. According to the ministry, an investigation found that the issue surrounding the workers’ passports had been resolved. The ministry also said outstanding salaries for April and up to May 16, 2026, had been paid and that its review of employment contracts found no evidence to support claims that monies had been improperly withheld from workers.
The ministry also said that it had investigated occupational safety and health complaints raised by the employees and issued recommendations to the company in question to ensure compliance with workplace standards.
For its part, the company denied allegations of abuse and forced labour, insisting that the claims are false and misleading. It maintained that workers voluntarily lodged their passports with management for safekeeping and said salary obligations had been met, further noting that employees who chose to terminate their contracts prematurely would be required to bear the cost of their airfare home. The workers had disputed the company’s assertions.
The Labour Minister had previously said that the allegations were being treated with “the utmost attention and urgency” and that statements were taken from all 38 workers as part of a multi-agency probe.
Kiskadee Watch sought comments from Griffth along with Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond on the allegations. A visit was also made to the Indian High Commission on Church Street to obtain a response. However, representatives there indicated that the matter was sensitive in nature and advised that an appointment would have to be scheduled with the High Commissioner, noting that this is the standard protocol for such engagements.
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