ILO facilitating consultation for drafting Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

The Social Protection Ministry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), will be holding a three-day national consultation with the aim of gaining consensus on the Manufacturing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Regulation that should be made under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:10, laws of Guyana.

The consultation will commence on Tuesday and end on Thursday, at the Herdmanston Lodge, 65 Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

It was revealed that the initiative was being funded by the ILO, and, as such, representatives from the Organisation will be present to offer technical support. These officials include Social Protection and Occupational Safety Specialist Ariel Pino, and Dr Shal Gewurtz, a consultant on occupational safety and health from the body.

Speakers at the forum will include representatives from the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Limited; the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC); the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the ILO.

A number of companies and organisations within the manufacturing and public sectors are expected to participate in this vital consultation. This activity comes a week after labour unions lashed out at the Social Protection Ministry for its failure to make representation at the ILO’s Annual Conference. The ILO conference is where Governments, employers and workers’ organisations meet to discuss issues that impact the well-being of each group. These discussions guide the conceptualisation and development of conventions and programmes, especially as it relates to workers’ rights and safety.