Govt accused of violating labour laws

The Government of Guyana is being accused of violating the labour laws by issuing contracts to firms which pay persons below the minimum wage.
The Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is asking that the Administration address the issue where security guards and being paid below the minimum wage while they perform duties at Government locations.
Addressing the RDC, People’s Progressive Party Councillor Zamal Hussain criticised the Administration for awarding contracts to security companies at rates which makes it impossible for firms to pay guards wages at the minimum level or above.
He told the RDC that Government is contributing to the company breaking the law.
“The persons working with the company are being paid below the minimum wage, they are not being paid overtime and they are not given proper treatment. In fact, some of them are in arrears with their creditors,” he pointed out.
Hussain said some of the underpaid guards perform duties at the compound of the RDC. Others, he said were at schools health centres and hospitals in the region.
“The blame is coming to the region. I am pleading to the RDC and the Government that when they make out these contracts they have ground rules that persons must at least receive the minimum wage as stipulated by the Government.”
This publication was told that the guards are paid at a rate which represents two-thirds of the stipulated minimum wage.
Meanwhile, at a recent meeting held with the guards and the company which has the contract to pervade security services to Government buildings in Region Six, the guards complained of poor working conditions and also of the low wages.
The Chief Executive Officer of that company allegedly told the guards to take him to the Social Protection Ministry, which holds the responsibility for labour, and if they were not successful with the New Amsterdam office they should take the matter up with the head office in Georgetown.