International Human Rights Day: GCCI’S “Respect Campaign” to promote new culture of inclusive work environment

With the goal of fostering an inclusive work environment, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) launched its inaugural “Respect Campaign” on Tuesday, concentrating on empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
The “Respect Campaign” was launched in commemoration of International Human Rights Day, observed on December 10 under the theme: “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All”.

It is a collaborative effort between the GCCI’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee and Membership and Diversity Committee and the Labour Ministry, designed to foster a culture of respect within workplaces by promoting understanding of respectful practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The campaign will highlight the identification of problems in the workplace such as interpersonal conflict, bullying, harassment, and discrimination, with the aim of creating solutions that address these issues.
Chair of the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee, Evie Gurchuran shared that this concept comes with the intention of building a culture of respect in the workplace.
“We also need to build capacity within our membership so that we can not only establish workplace policies, but we can also get a culture of equity of diversity of inclusion. Talk about in smaller companies, talks about within, you know, some of those single person businesses,” she disclosed.
On the other hand, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton called the initiative a useful one, where the country’s robust development is being met with consideration for proper labour relations.
“I have many instances where companies, instead of checking with the Ministry of Labour, they go and they pay a lot of money to lawyer and so-called HR experts, who advise them badly. And they end up breaking the law. So, for businesses and business owners and new people and basic business, you want to know everything about your labour laws in Guyana, Ministry of Labour give that free service,” Hamilton added.
One key example is the payment of overtime if a person works over eight hours per day, regardless of the 40-hour criteria per week.
“So again, for companies that are coming in business… Many times, when we discuss safety and health, many people think we’re just talking about feeling factory. I’m talking about office spaces. Because I’ve gone to offices where I see ceilings about to fall on people’s head.”
Chairperson of the GCCI Membership and Diversity Committee, Kerri Gravesande-Bart also underscored the importance of respect in the work environment in the development of employees.
“We need to recognise the power of respect as a guiding principle. By promoting a value system rooted in respect, we can foster an environment of equity, where everyone is given fair and equal opportunities to thrive. Let’s build a culture that celebrates diversity and ensures that everyone is treated with dignity and fairness,” Gravesande-Bart commented.
Activities which will embody this three-month campaign will include sensitisation of local labour laws, creation of workplace policies, the implementation and monitoring of policies, and motivating businesses and individuals to commit to a culture of respect. (G12)