Representatives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) yesterday met with Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton at their office in Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, to discuss the issue of migrant workers and their well-being, a Ministry of Labour release said yesterday. The Minister was accompanied by the Consultant of the OSH department, Gweneth King; Head of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), Yolanda Grant; Chief Executive Officer of BIT, Richard Maughn; and Legal Officers, Alyea Williams and Janelle Thomas.
The PSC team comprised Chairman, Komal Singh, along with members such as Kit Nascimento, and Charles Ogle among other officials.
According to the release, the meeting focussed on fostering a partnership between the ministry and PSC to a) address the living and working conditions of migrant workers, b) to explore possible ventures to ensure their safety and well-being, and c) establish a database that assesses and catalogues warehouse items stored particularly by oil and gas subcontractors.
This approach, it explained, will allow the the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department to inspect these materials to ensure these companies comply with the safety standards outlined in the OSH Act.
Discussions also touched on the formation of a joint venture to monitor and inspect the construction sector to ensure safe and healthy workplace practices are enacted to minimise workplace accidents and fatalities, exploring an apprenticeship network with the help of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), as well as boosting the efforts of CRMA as it relates to employment opportunities.
Hamilton spoke of the significant progress achieved by the various departments under his remit such as increased training opportunities, workplace inspections and awareness sessions, greater access to employment opportunities via the launch of the National Job Bank, and educating workers on their rights in the workplace.
Such achievements, he posited, can reach their target audiences by partnering with relevant stakeholders such as the PSC.
This approach, Hamilton observed, is in keeping with government’s manifesto promise to secure the rights and well-being of workers, empowering its citizens through skills training programmes, and boosting employment opportunities.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to work together to address the matters highlighted, the release added.
