ILO begins consultation on Guyana’s 3rd Decent Work Country Programme

– project to be completed before end of 2024

In keeping with its commitment to help Guyana safeguard workers’ rights and well-being, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently commenced consultation for the country’s third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2024 and beyond.
Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Joni Musabayana recently led a delegation to Guyana. He was accompanied by key players in the agency including the Senior Specialist for Employers’ Activities, a Specialist for Workers’ Activities and a Senior Programme Officer.

Whilst here the ILO team engaged stakeholders from the Ministry of Labour, labour union bodies, and the private sector, to cover every crevice of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).
The programme’s primary goal is to vividly outline decent working conditions for employees, promote development and inclusivity and address labour-related priorities.
Additionally, it will include policies and strategies to promote equitable labour environments, thereby contributing to the country’s sustainable economic growth.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton disclosed that the Decent Work Country Programme will be actionable to aid in Guyana achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

“The Decent Work Country Programme is a kind of an agreement between the tripartite, which is Labour, the union and the private sector as to plans and programmes and how we see ourselves coordinating the activities going forward for the next five years. Primarily paying attention to the training and retraining of workers. The only issue about protection of the rights of workers would include labour relations safety and health. And then, of course, it would tie into our commitment to the SDGs,” Minister Hamilton disclosed.
Hamilton said when completed the Decent Work Country Programme will also strengthen Guyana’s labour system and revolutionise the way the public and private sector tackle work-related issues.
“What is tentative on the agenda is the Director General that is stationed in Geneva might be in Guyana in October, I think they said or the signing of the Decent Work Country Programme between Guyana and the ILO. So that’s where we are regarding the matter,” he added.

In Guyana, the ILO also hosted a two-day workshop which served as a platform to evaluate the current labour market and address challenges within the sector through innovative solutions.
The workshop marked a significant step toward enhancing the lives of workers in Guyana, ensuring that labour policies are effective and sustainable.
In June, ILO held the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva aim is to bring together all tripartite delegations from the ILO’s 187 Member States among others to discuss a series of topics related to the world of work.
At the event, the organisation signalled its commitment to work with the Guyana Government through the Labour Ministry to enhance worker’s safety, especially in the country’s growing oil and gas sector.
The pledge was made by the Director General of the ILO, Gilbert Houngbo who explained at the time that the collaboration is part of efforts to enhance the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) countrywide, which will be transferred into the Oil and Gas sector.