Labour Ministry threatens to expose employers who breach laws

…over 400 complaints reported for 2021

The Labour Ministry will be aggressively pursuing public and private workplaces that breach the country’s labour laws, and those failing to provide the requisite working conditions will face the brunt of the law.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, at a press conference on Tuesday, outlined that officers have been continuously visiting workplaces and construction sites across the country to assess whether employers are following the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guidelines. Those in breach are given a timeline to correct their error, but if they fail to do so, the Ministry would not hesitate to shut down their operations.
“If you don’t obey the law, believe me, it will become a thing recurring. Our position is that everyone must obey the law. The law says if you have a building being constructed, there are things you must do. The officers continue to review construction sites. We have had, in the last couple of months, to shut down two construction sites. I will not have men hanging out at six storeys with no harness, no safety boots; walking on a 2×4 to get from one place to next…That is the safety culture we have, that I am going to help bring to an end,” he asserted.
At one of these sites, a worker had fallen to his death, and an investigation later proved that personal protective gear and other safety mechanisms were lacking.
Hamilton is contending that if employers follow the laws in relation to workers’ safety, they would remain operational without hiccups.
To errant employers and contractors, he has said: “You have two choices in this matter. Either you obey the law, or I call a press conference and tell them or carry them to the site. You have to decide. That’s my position…(If) they fail to do that, and they want a contention, I will not contend. I will call a press conference and let the public be the judge.
“Once you follow the laws, we have less problems…I would hope that big buildings pay attention, because we’re coming. I don’t want to shut down anyone, but if you don’t care for the life of people, I will make you care,” he added.
For OSH month, in April, the Ministry reached over 900 workers from both public and private entities across the country, where a series of issues were brought to the attention of labour officers present. Highlighted issues included termination, wages, dismissal, timely salaries, no leave time, among others.
“As it relates to OSH, our review shows that we are yet to learn about the safety culture in Guyana, and that is all and sundry.
“Fundamentally, issues of protective gear, mercury exposure, and other things that can injure workers; issues about working with mining pits without proper regard to how you should mine…,” he related in the mining industry.
Collaboration has also been forged between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Guyana Women Miners Association to address issues in the sector.

Complaints
Five months into 2021, the Labour Ministry has already received 477 complaints from employees about their working conditions, which contradict current labour legislation and safety measures. Minister Hamilton has said that in addition to these matters, 252 were brought over from 2020, contributing to a total of 729 complaints. There are cases wherein grievances from years ago are now being settled.
“Whilst this data is focusing on 2020 and 2021, I have had to intervene to resolve matters that go back to 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, where people were severed and weren’t paid their severance pay. In many instances, the Minister himself has had to intervene to ensure that people can be paid,” Minister Hamilton noted.
Work has begun to dispose of these cases, and is working to have labour officers present in the various regions to address complaints. Meanwhile, charges have been brought against six employers for respective breaches.
The reinstituted Labour Ministry under the PPP/C Government has managed to recover over $19 million for employees from monies withheld by their respective places of employment. (G12)