Guyana’s Ministry of Labour has launched an official probe into claims of widespread labor and occupational safety violations at a Batavia quarry located in Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, following public allegations raised by opposition political leaders. The development, first reported on 16 May 2026, comes as the India-headquartered quarry operator EKAA HRIM Earth Resources Management maintains that one recent employee death was caused by a heart attack, and has dismissed circulating claims as misleading.
The allegations first entered the public sphere when Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, head of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, took to social media to share accounts from individuals identifying themselves as employees of the quarry. Mohamed called on Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, who formally commissioned the quarry three years ago, to intervene immediately on behalf of a group of Indian national workers. The opposition leader claimed the workers have not received owed wages and are being prevented from leaving the country by being held of their passports, demanding a full investigation into the circumstances of one worker’s death.
“We’re calling for an investigation into what really transpired because we heard that that man worked, worked and worked till he collapsed and died of what is being called a heart attack,” Mohamed told reporters during a public appearance accompanied by former workers and other WIN party officials.
WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus doubled down on the opposition’s demands, calling for the quarry to be immediately shut down and its responsible owners prosecuted. “This is a clear human rights violation. It is sick and very disturbing to be in this day and age and have to interface with these sort of things,” Primus said.
Accounts shared by the workers have painted a grim picture of conditions at the remote quarry site. One anonymous employee alleged that basic health infrastructure is completely absent at the location, and no dedicated boat transport is available to evacuate sick or injured workers to the nearest hospital. The employee also claimed that salary payments have been delayed for multiple consecutive months, leaving workers in desperate conditions.
In video footage posted to the Team Mohamed Facebook page, a senior EKAA HRIM representative appeared to acknowledge the workers’ demands during an on-site meeting with Mohamed, confirming that workers would receive meals over the upcoming weekend and assuring that their rights would be respected. The representative stated the company would meet workers’ welfare needs ahead of their planned trip to Georgetown to meet with officials from the Indian High Commission.
In an official statement released via public relations firm Tagman Media, EKAA HRIM pushed back against the public allegations, saying it is working collaboratively with the Indian High Commission in Guyana, the Ministry of Labour and all relevant local authorities to resolve all outstanding issues with full transparency and accountability. “Verified information and supporting documentation will be shared through the appropriate channels in due course,” the company said.
The firm labeled circulating social media claims as “misleading and inaccurate”, warning that unsubstantiated reports risk sparking unnecessary public fear, confusion and misunderstanding among stakeholders and the general public. “We respectfully urge the public and all stakeholders to refrain from spreading unverified information and to allow the relevant authorities to complete their processes professionally and independently,” the statement added.
The company concluded by thanking the Guyanese government, relevant ministries, its staff, commercial partners and the public for their ongoing support, understanding and cooperation through the ongoing controversy. EKAA HRIM reaffirmed its commitment to protecting employee welfare, complying fully with Guyana’s national labor laws, and maintaining transparency across all of its domestic operations. Labour Minister Keoma Griffith confirmed the launch of the investigation in an interview with Demerara Waves Online News on Saturday, confirming that authorities are now reviewing the full set of allegations.