Dear Editor,
The recent death of the Chinese rigger working on the Demerara Harbour Bridge is a tragic reminder of the systemic failure of the protection of workers in Guyana. That the immediate employer is a Chinese company makes it no less painful to the man’s relatives in faraway China. The company and the Ministry of Public Works as the procuring entity must answer questions and, as necessary, be held responsible for the tragic event.
Unfortunately, while laws like the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Coroners Act exist, enforcement of both is weak or non-existent, and gaps in accountability continue to leave workers dangerously exposed.
At the public level, procuring entities must ensure that safety measures and insurance coverage are fully included in their contracts, and that these are enforced. These requirements must also apply to direct, and indirect employers who contract third parties to perform construction jobs without requiring adequate insurance or enforcing safety protocols. This latter practice, engaged in by some very prominent companies in Guyana, shifts liability down the chain, leaving workers in legal jeopardy and their families without recourse when tragedies occur.
This systemic failure is not just about individual negligence; it reflects a broader neglect of social legislation and governance, and their consideration in the award of contracts. As public and private construction work takes place all over the country, this issue requires urgent attention.
I will examine these issues in greater detail in this coming Sunday’s Business and Economic Commentary column, focusing on legislative gaps, enforcement failures, and the urgent reforms needed to protect workers in Guyana. In the meanwhile, I hope that the process for the appointment of a Coroner to investigate the death of the man at the Bridge will begin as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Christopher Ram
