Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton yesterday told the Chinese Association that while Guyana is open for business and welcomes foreign investments all businesses must adhere to the nation’s labour laws.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Hamilton says he is aware that businesses will work to make good returns on their investments, but the Government will not allow the law to be disregarded in the process.
He was speaking at a one-day seminar hosted for Chinese entrepreneurs, at the Chinese Association building, at Brickdam, Georgetown.
Hamilton asserted that the PPP/C Government will not sit idly by and allow employees to suffer at the hands of their managers. To this end, he noted that the Ministry has been able to increase labour officers from 16 to 26 and these officials will be assigned to every Region.
“Because when you have a difficulty at any workplace in my view it helps no one. First there is downtime of business, that means the businessman suffers, the employees suffer because they might not be earning during the period and generally the economy suffers based on the type of business that is involved,” the Minister said.
He added that his Ministry will no longer be the “death announcement bureau” which means it is taking a stern approach on health and safety in workplaces.
Therefore, the Ministry is also increasing the complement of staff from nine to 30. These officers responsible for ensuring health and safety in the workplace will also be dispatched to all Regions. Region Four, however, will be sub-divided into Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank.
“The officers will be interfacing with employers to ensure that workers work in a safe space and that they go back to their families in one piece when the afternoons come”, he asserted.
Hamilton noted that the Ministry is reviewing the labour laws to make the fines more punitive to ensure full adherence. Following Hamilton’s remarks, presentations were conducted on child labour, the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This segment was facilitated by officers from the Ministry.
