Dear Editor,
One is given to understand that Ministerial Agencies pay little attention to external comments and observations, albeit from citizens of ‘One Guyana’. One area of concern however, is in respect of those who do not know where, when and to whom to complain since they are under the impression that the latter are dismissive of submissions, moreso from lowly paid workers – employees, in some instances, of companies too influential to be approached. One is left to wonder for example about the objective of the recruiting recently of a slate of Labour Officers, and the role they are expected to play between complainant workers and even small to mid-size employers, who can be found in the heart of the city, say along Regent and Robb Streets, for example.
But there are other agencies who, like the aforementioned, recruit unskilled females, who have little or no bargaining power, even when being paid below the (unrecorded) minimum wage. Here is a very sensitive compensation implication that is compounded by the employer’s non-contribution to the NIS – a situation further complicated by the latter agency’s inability, or reluctance, to assertively investigate the employer complained of. What results – in the context of ‘human development’ – is the ‘transparent’ subversion of too many female workers’ legal rights to critical maternity benefits (amongst others) – a gender issue probably overlooked even by legal female activists.
One area that has long invited curiosity is that of security services, in which there are obviously several well-constructed employers. On the other hand, there are others who are contracted to employers at rates so convenient to the latter, that they in turn resort to recruiting and paying substandard wages to mostly: a) male pensioners and; b) younger needy female employees – all too reluctant to report even genuine illnesses. Surely there must be amongst the decision-makers who eccentricate so much about ‘human development’ that can muster an inquiry into this employment grouping (even though including supporters), if only to be acclaimed as being ‘transparent’?
Would it not be a noble and humane decision to direct the Ministries of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, as well as the NIS, to coordinate the implementation of a plan to examine comprehensively, the sensitive issue of women in the workplace – including in particular, their legal maternity rights – as a matter of priority? But then they would have to check how many of these agencies are registered employers.
Sincerely,
Elijah Bijay