Region 5 business community sensitised on labour laws

The Labour Ministry in an effort to bring more awareness of approved conditions of work met with employees and other stakeholders in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Thursday.
The one-day seminar focused on conditions of work, occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements, and employment exchange services.
The event, which was held at Lachmansingh Primary, Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was aimed at sensitising the business community on the laws and regulations governing the conditions of work and the safe system and method of work. The businesses that attended the seminar employ more than 300 workers.
The participants received information on the labour laws governing overtime payments, termination of employment and severance pay, labour inspections and record-keeping, national minimum wage, probation period and leave with pay, safety and health at work and the OSH laws, recruitment, and information on the Ministry’s virtual job bank website (jobs.gov.gy).
Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine, speaking at the opening of the seminar, urged the participants to see their employees as their greatest asset and promulgated that the Labour Ministry wanted to build a partnership with the business community as they were an important catalyst and means to encourage, promote, and ensure compliance with the laws relating to conditions of work and occupational safety and health.
Deonarine pointed out that if all of the businesses present at the seminar comply with the law, that would mean approximately 350 employees’ rights and welfare are being upheld.
Presentations were also made by labour officers and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Inspectors Imran Ameer and Omesh Winston. (G4)