Govt working to integrate migrants into local workforce

…“one-size-fits-all” approach is not appropriate – Hamilton

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has opined that when dealing with Guyana’s migrant population, there must be tailored approaches to address the different groups of people entering the country.
He made this comment during a meeting with regional heads of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to continue ongoing discussions over Guyana’s migrant situation, specifically as it relates to Venezuelans. It was shared that the Labour Ministry is seeking to integrate these persons into the workforce, especially where there is demand beyond the country’s capacity.
Fleeing the economic crisis in their country, thousands of Venezuelans have crossed the border into Guyana in search of better living conditions. He pointed out that especially in this category, there are many subsets of people with different backgrounds.
“I’ve always argued the case that when we’re dealing with the migrant population from Venezuela, it cannot be a one size fit all, because you have three sets of persons – full-fledged Venezuelans, Guyanese who left for decades and lived in Venezuela, and children of those Guyanese. So, they always have to compartmentalise the programmes,” Hamilton shared.
This engagement also explored the possibility of training, certification, and accreditation for migrants who might have skillsets to join the workforce – a Board of Industrial Training programme is being mulled.
Having migrants in a formal arrangement, Hamilton noted, eliminates issues where they can be exploited or trafficked.
“The other important issue we discussed is how we bring the migrants out of the informal arrangement to the formal arrangement. The recognition is that in informal environments, they can be exploited; they can be taken advantage of. The issue of trafficking is fundamental in the migrant population,” he noted.
According to the Labour Minister, everyone is covered under the labour laws. Thus far, a labour matter regarding a Greek national was reported and dealt with. Law enforcement and immigration also intervened. There was also a case last week concerning a Jamaican national which required attention.
“I have not had cause to intervene based on any report, other than one at the Ramada Hotel. One Sunday, I was called about a Greek guy who was working for several years…The whole short of it was for two years, they refused to pay him. Somehow, the management took it upon themselves that they could just deport the guy. We dealt with it instantaneously from the labour side,” he expressed.
As it relates to defaulting companies, he continued that the current fines were meagre. When the laws are amended, this will be addressed.
“We have legal prescription fines, which are minimal and useless. In our discussion and proposal regarding fines, they will be substantial when the law is amended. Right now, it’s useless. Beyond that, we can take them to court before a Magistrate where they can make commitments to the court,” Hamilton told the media.
Areas of discussion have extended to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Migrants have been employed in the services sector, construction, and mining.
Meanwhile, Minister Hamilton said Cubans were another group frequently entering the country, in most cases to obtain their US visas. (G12)