Jagdeo urges employers to grant offshore workers paid time off to vote

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has called on employers, particularly in the oil and gas sector, to ensure that offshore workers are granted adequate paid time off to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasised that while the Government cannot dictate the operations of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), employers carry a responsibility to facilitate workers’ participation in the democratic process.
“Contrary to public belief, we can’t tell GECOM what to do. APNU makes it seem as though GECOM responds only to the PPP, but that’s simply not true. What we can do is encourage employers to play their part in ensuring workers get the chance to cast their ballots,” Jagdeo said.
He added: “I hope that people will be given the time off, and with pay too, to vote. That’s my hope, because we are responsible.”
Guyana’s oil and gas sector directly employs over 6000 Guyanese workers, representing nearly 70 per cent of the local workforce in the industry as of late 2024. This figure does not include thousands of Guyanese employed by local suppliers or the broader supply chain.
GECOM has confirmed 757,690 registered voters for the September 1 General and Regional Election, spread across 2790 polling stations, including 62 stations at private residences.
The VP’s remarks come amid concerns that offshore workers, often on rotational shifts, may struggle to access polling stations on election day. In July, GECOM reminded all employers that it is mandatory by law to allow eligible employees time off to vote without loss of pay or penalty, under Section 81(1) of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).
The law stipulates that:
“Every employer shall permit every elector in his employ…to be absent from his work on election day for a reasonable time, in addition to the normal mid-day meal hour, for the purpose of voting… No employer should make any deduction from pay or other remuneration or impose any penalty by reason of absence during such period.”
Failure to comply may result in serious legal consequences under Section 82 of ROPA.
GECOM also reminded employees to act responsibly by informing and coordinating with their employers in advance.