Marciano Hellings re-elected as head of OWOS union in Suriname

Marciano Hellings has been re-elected as chairman of the Ogane Werknemers Organisatie Suriname (OWOS) following an intense election period. His faction, Team ‘Renewable’, secured a victory with 586 votes, defeating Team Bondru, which received 325 votes. The results have been accepted by the opposing team.

The election process was marked by significant tension, including legal disputes and allegations of interference by the EBS management in the union’s internal affairs. Furthermore, a shooting incident occurred near the union building shortly before the vote, resulting in one injury.

In response to the unrest, several other unions, including those at MAS, Staatsolie, and Luchthavenbeheer, have expressed solidarity with OWOS. They have condemned attempts at intimidation and called for the protection of the union’s independence from employer influence.