A severe leadership crisis has erupted at Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the national energy company, with union representatives accusing General Director Brunswijk of authoritarian management practices and procedural violations. Marciano Hellings, President of the OWOS trade union, revealed that tensions within the company’s executive leadership had been building for months before reaching a breaking point.
According to Hellings, the general director has created a toxic work environment characterized by intolerance for dissent and consistent disregard for established protocols. “He determines what must be done with little respect for existing agreements and procedures,” Hellings stated in an interview with Starnieuws. The situation has deteriorated to the point where it has affected not only union relations but also caused significant friction within the Board of Commissioners.
The union leader detailed multiple concerning practices under Brunswijk’s leadership, including withheld promotions and periodic salary increases, intimidation tactics, threats of suspension, and termination notices. Hellings also reported instances of workplace polarization, alleging that the director actively pits employees against one another as part of his management strategy.
Of particular concern is the stalled collective labor agreement negotiations for 2025. Despite a ruling from the Mediation Council in January, management has failed to formalize the agreement. Hellings warned that continued inaction could lead to organized labor actions from the unionized workforce.
Hellings has called upon President Simons, as representative of the company’s shareholder, to intervene decisively. The union president questioned Brunswijk’s fundamental competency to lead the organization, citing missing strategic plans, overdue annual reports, and personnel appointments that allegedly bypassed standard procedures.
The current Board of Commissioners has received some praise from Hellings for their willingness to address the issues, unlike previous boards that avoided confrontation. However, the union maintains that only presidential intervention can resolve the deepening institutional crisis at the vital energy provider.