7,000 labour inspections conducted to date – Hamilton

The government through the Ministry of Labour remains dedicated to Guyanese workers and has pledged to continue to enforce the laws and regulations through inspections at the workplaces.

Since the government assumed Office on August 2, 2020, the ministry has conducted over 7,000 labour inspections throughout Guyana, with the view of enforcing labour and occupational safety and health laws.

This was disclosed by Minister, Joseph Hamilton, in his message to commemorate Labour Day, which is observed annually on May 1.

Minister Hamilton said the inspections provided technical information to both employers and employees.

They also ensure that the legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers are enforced.

He further noted that tackling labour and employment issues is critical for Guyana to achieve the targets set out in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for the country’s economic and social progress.

“Consequently, the tripartite dedication of Government, employers and workers’ organisations is imperative and one that must be encouraged, promoted and sustained for us to realise our goals and prosperity for all the workers and people of our beautiful country. The process of social dialogue is fundamental and at the core of good industrial relations, which is needed for achieving solutions, stability, and good economic outcomes. Importantly, workers must also be active and ensure their rights are not ignored in the workplace,” he stated.

As the oil and gas industry continues to experience accelerated growth and a spike in foreign direct investments, the minister said the government is committed to ensuring that both local and foreign employers comply with the constitutional provision of the “right to equal pay for equal work or work of equal value and to just conditions of work.” “Importantly, this accelerated expansion and increase in economic activities have increased the demand for skilled workers,” Minister Hamilton pointed out.

To this end, workers are being urged to make use of the many opportunities made available by the government to enhance their skills. “It would be remiss of me not to underscore the importance of trade unions and the role that they have played and continue to play in the struggle for workers’ rights, equity, just conditions of work and justice for workers throughout Guyana. In this regard, the Ministry of Labour will continue to work with the trade unions to ensure that they remain a formidable and major stakeholder in ensuring workers’ rights are protected and contributing to economic growth through involvement in economic and social policy-making, collective bargaining and negotiations at all levels,” the labour minister added. Minister Hamilton also saluted workers for their commitment, effort, dedication and hard work as the nation works towards building a sustainable future.

Construction begins on $1.7B Karasabai Secondary

Construction has commenced on the modern $1.7 billion Karasabai Secondary School in Region Nine, as part of the government’s aim to ensure equitable access to education is provided.

The construction of the school is scheduled to be completed within two years and will benefit 500 students and 250 students in the dormitories.

Students will no longer have to travel through difficult terrain every day to receive education.

The government is putting a lot of effort into closing the education gap between the coast and the hinterland.

This initiative will significantly improve the quality of life for students in the region by expanding their educational opportunities.

The contemporary school complex will be fitted with ten buildings which include TVET centres, a combined Home Economics and cafeteria area, teachers’ quarters, an outdoor seating plaza, main teaching block and related lecturing facilities, and modern science laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Construction of the facility is being done by Avinash Contracting. The contract signing ceremony which was held in February was attended by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alfred King, and Assistant Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development, Marti DeSouza.

149 Region Five residents now certified in several areas through BIT

One hundred and forty-nine (149) residents of Region

Five graduated from several technical and vocational training programmes offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The ceremony was held on April 28, 2023 at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre.

BIT continues to offer the necessary training programmes to help Guyanese across the country advance their skills in chosen fields.

Some 23 persons are skilled in data operation, 24 in electrical installation, 5 in motor vehicle servicing, 13 in fur- niture making, 11 in plumbing, 12 in commercial food preparation, 12 in garment construction, 10 in agro-processing, 8 in information technology, 10 in office administration, 10 in welding and fabrication, and 15 in heavy-duty equipment operation.

Delivering remarks at the gradation, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton urged the graduates to continually advance their skills by enrolling in complementing courses being provided.

Minister Hamilton said the government is making the necessary resources available to provide the training pro- grammes. “We are moving from a place where in 2021 when we expended a little over $8 million in Region Five training some 85 persons, to a place where we have expended over $61 million in Region Five training 535 persons.”

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton during remarks at the BIT graduation in Region Five

He added that 345 persons have already been trained in the region by BIT. The training programmes will help to fully equip the beneficiaries with skills to become entrepreneurs or employable.