32 Guyanese died in workplace-related incidents – Labour Ministry

…over 300 accidents reported

Some 32 Guyanese would have died in 2020 in work-related incidents while another 300 accidents occurred at several worksites, with some workers still being incapacitated.
These figures were revealed by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, who during an interview last week said that when it comes to high profile labour issues, a proactive approach has to be taken.
Moreover, it was noted that matters including the breaking of Guyana’s law by companies and improper treatment and safety risks to the employees have to be formally reported in order for the Ministry to carry out investigations.
“People expect the Ministry to do this and that but, the Ministry cannot operate and investigate on chatter and inuendoes. It has to investigate based on formal reports,” the Minister informed.
He went on to say that if a matter were to reach to the level of the courts, the court will not accept “hearsay”, but rather would ask for evidence to be provided to support claims of people’s safety being at risk and so forth.
On the other hand, the Minister noted that he will not allow employees and employers to collude in breaking the law, saying “major companies were allowed, under the stewardship of the last Government, not to deduct taxes – GRA taxes – from overtime for workers. So, companies and workers had their own Labour agreement breaking the law, and I’ve said to companies, it’s not just the Labour law you’re breaking, you’re breaking inland revenue law and that’s a criminal offence because you’re helping people to evade tax.”
Hamilton stated that there will be conversations with the Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, in regards to reviewing and upgrading legislations to allow for supervision of upcoming sectors in Guyana.
Just last week during the simple graduation ceremony for the newly recruited officers of the Ministry, Hamilton had revealed that legislations were being reviewed to allow for the law to empower Labour Officers and OSH Officers to go to the court and file contempt proceedings against sectors that are found in breach of labour laws.