While Guyana meets the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, the US State Department’s annual report yesterday said that it did not vet labour agreements with China and Cuba for trafficking vulnerabilities.
Guyana maintained its tier 1 status and the report said that the government constructed a care home for child migrants, including child trafficking victims; identified more victims and referred them to services; granted more victims residency and work permits; hired more English-Spanish interpreters and other additional staff; and undertook extensive awareness campaigns and training.
“Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not vet labor agreements with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Cuban governments for trafficking vulnerabilities, adequately screen PRC and Cuban workers for trafficking indicators, or conduct sufficient inspections of these nationals’ worksites. The government did not adequately oversee recruitment agencies, prevent worker-paid recruitment and placement fees, or adequately screen for trafficking victims in the interior of the country”.
The report called for increased prosecutions and convictions in sex and labour trafficking cases, including for cases involving child victims.
It also recommended the proactive screening of PRC and Cuban workers, the vetting of labor agreements with the PRC and Cuban governments for trafficking risks, and regular inspections of worksites of PRC and Cuban workers.
The report also recommended increased labor inspections at high-risk worksites in the mining and logging districts.
It also urged that steps be taken to eliminate recruitment or placement fees charged to workers by labour recruiters and to ensure any such fees are paid by employers.
The State Department report also recommended a complete review of existing legislation on labour recruitment and to increase the number of labour inspectors.
Washington also called for the proactive screening of other vulnerable populations, including Haitian migrants, for trafficking indicators, refer them to services, and ensure potential victims are not deported without screening.
“Hold convicted traffickers, including complicit officials, accountable by seeking adequate penalties, which should involve significant prison terms”, was another recommendation made in the report.
The report also called on the government to ensure security for victims, especially those residing in government shelters, and their relatives. Further, it wants the government to reduce reliance on victims to serve as witnesses in prosecutions.
The report said that the Guyana Government has bilateral agreements with the Cuban and PRC governments.
“In December 2023, media reported government plans to receive 200 additional nurses in 2024 through the Cuban medical program. The government previously reported most Cuban workers in the country were medical doctors who were paid by the Cuban government while the Guyanese government provided housing and airfare. Cuban government-affiliated medical professionals working in Guyana may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. PRC nationals working on PRC government projects through the Belt and Road Initiative may have been forced to work by the PRC government”, it said.
