Work at the company's Berbice River operations, 60 miles from the capital of Georgetown, has been at a standstill for the last nine days, and the Guyana Bauxite Workers' Union (GBWU) said the employees would remain off their jobs until the company makes a better offer.

BGGI has warned that it is prepared to dismiss up to 75 workers if it is to meet the 10 per cent salary increase.

GBWU president Charles Sampson said the workers would also not return to work until the company revoked suspension letters it has issued to some of the striking employees.

'Wasting our time'

"The company has not been negotiating in good faith. They are wasting our time," Sampson told the Caribbean Media Corporation.

BGGI last week dismissed 60 workers for engaging in what the company said was unlawful industrial action that resulted in severe economic losses.

Last week, head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, told reporters that the government had spoken to both sides and that the bauxite company and the GBGWU should continue negotiating a settlement.

The union and company were said to be still in negotiations up to Monday.

- CMC