Dear Editor
The Forest Products Association (FPA) notes that the US State Department 2010 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report erroneously claims that approximately 984 children were removed from exploitative labour in Guyana between 2005 to 2009. The industries identified in the report include logging and sawmilling.
The FPA wishes to publicly state that its members operate in full compliance with the labour and other Government of Guyana legislation which expressly prevents child labour and any other form of child abuse or discrimination. The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security; and the Guyana Forestry Commission conduct regular routine as well as impromptu visits to forest operations countrywide to verify compliance with these national legislative requirements; there have been absolutely no instances of non-compliance over the years 2005 to 2009.
The FPA therefore again publicly emphasises that child labour is not utilized by members in the forestry sector of Guyana and condemns the use of misleading, offensive and unsubstantiated statements which will have negative impacts on current and emerging markets.
The FPA sincerely hopes that this report will be urgently corrected to present the real facts to the global community. It is also expected that mechanisms will be put in place immediately to remove as far as is possible, the unjustified negative image painted of the forestry sector in Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Hilbertus Cort
President
Forest Products
Association of Guyana
