Over 30 Reg 6 workers sensitised on labour laws, rights

In a continued effort to boost awareness of healthy workplace practices and employee rights, the Labour Ministry on Thursday conducted a sensitisation exercise with over 30 workers in Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Through this initiative, the participants gained information on the national minimum wage, termination of employment, leave with pay, conditions of work, child labour, and occupational safety and health (OSH) in the workplace.
Workers were also educated about cooperative and friendly societies and the services provided by the Ministry through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA).

Ministry officials that visited the communities included Labour Officer Emanuel Ramdhial, OSH Officer Nazmoon Jafarally and Regional Cooperative Societies Officer Keshri Jailall.
Thursday’s exercise commenced with a visit to the Mibicuri Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) where the Labour Ministry officers met with employees from the agriculture sector, particularly cash crop and rice farmers, as well as residents of Lesbeholden and Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.
This outreach forms part of the Ministry’s overarching plan to educate workers across the region on their rights.
Last month, a number of business representatives in Region Six participated in a one-day seminar in Berbice on the conditions of work, OSH requirements, and employment exchange services, in a continuation of the Ministry’s efforts to push for healthier work environments.
Focus was placed on the labour laws governing overtime payments, termination of employment and severance pay, inspection and record-keeping, national minimum wage, probation period and leave with pay, safety and health at work, and the employment services offered by the Ministry.
During this engagement, it was revealed that based on an inspection the Ministry had conducted from January to August of 407 Region Six workplaces, 53 per cent of them complied with the requirements under the law, while 47 per cent were not following all of the requirements.
Meanwhile, 14 per cent of the inspected businesses and workplaces in the region had no wage records.
This discovery urged a further need for the Ministry and the business community to build a strong partnership to ensure compliance with the laws relating to working conditions and OSH.