Guyana: Labour Ministry works to strengthen ties to protect workers’ rights

Georgetown, Guyana: The Labour Ministry and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association hosted a one-day seminar on labour laws and services at the Regency Hotel, which will benefit over thirty businesses.

ACH Inc., Activa RPO, Banks DIH Limited, Bulkan Timber Works Inc., CCA Guyana, Giftland Group of Companies, Guyana Logistics and Support Services Inc., GYSBI, National Milling Company, and SBM Offshore were among the companies that took part.

Among the topics covered are the National Apprenticeship Scheme: Supporting the Industrial Sector, the use of the National Job Bank, the System of Industrial Relations and Working Conditions, Safety and Health at Work, and Occupational Safety and Health.

Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, spoke about the progress of each department under his supervision since assuming office in August 2020. As a result, he believes that today’s workshop will bring the ministry one step closer to fulfilling its promise to secure and protect workers’ rights.

This, he said, will also give them the opportunity to explore other avenues for fostering fruitful collaboration to protect the country’s workforce.

Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Chief Labour Officer, stated that this seminar is part of the ministry’s effort to raise awareness about the country’s labour laws in order to protect workers’ rights. This is consistent with the government’s commitment to dealing with these issues in an efficient and effective manner, hence the collaboration.

It also refers to Goal 17 (17) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which refers to “partnerships for the goals,” which Deonarine believes will act as a catalyst to encourage, promote, and ensure compliance by the various companies.

He stated that the ministry had hosted similar interventions across the country since 2021, totalling eight thousand five hundred (8,500) employees. As a result, he committed to working with other relevant authorities to emphasize this point.

Rafeek Khan, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, was also present at the seminar and expressed similar sentiments. He also encourages the participants to keep the session interactive, as this will help them in future endeavours.