In a formal communication addressed to President Jennifer Simons, the Union of Assertive Trade Unions (UvAV) has expressed profound concerns regarding escalating governance issues at N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the national energy corporation. The labor organization contends that current operational practices within EBS are systematically eroding managerial credibility, disrupting workforce harmony, and diminishing public trust in both the state-owned enterprise and its fiscal management.
Since July of the previous year, multiple correspondence attempts have been initiated by UvAV, all remaining unanswered by the presidential office. This includes urgent legal communications from the union’s legal counsel that similarly failed to elicit substantive response.
The union’s allegations center on CEO Leo Brunswijk’s authoritarian leadership approach, accusing him of implementing unilateral decisions affecting collective labor agreements without consulting employee representatives. This management style has reportedly fostered significant internal unrest and created elevated risks of operational escalation.
A particularly contentious development involves the recent termination of union chairman Marciano Hellings, which UvAV asserts constitutes retaliatory action for his critical stance toward management. Notably, this dismissal proceeded despite formal objections from the authorized termination commission, establishing what the union describes as an intimidating precedent for workforce representation.
Further allegations include serious suspicions of fraudulent activities by senior leadership, unjustified employee terminations, and compromised salary distributions. These circumstances have allegedly resulted in both tangible and intangible damages to the state enterprise.
The UvAV has urgently petitioned presidential intervention through comprehensive investigative measures by competent authorities. The union specifically requests potential temporary suspension of the CEO and entire executive board during any investigation to prevent potential evidence tampering or operational interference.
Finally, the labor organization has formally requested presidential consultation to address both the EBS crisis and broader societal implications, expressing confidence that timely intervention could prevent further deterioration of the state enterprise and protect employee welfare.