The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) proudly joins the global community in observing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day 2025 under the theme “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”
This year’s observance highlights our steadfast commitment to safer, healthier workplaces and the transformative potential of technology in advancing occupational safety and health standards.
Over the years, Guyana has made commendable progress in strengthening occupational safety and health. Workplace inspections by the Ministry of Labour’s OSH Department have become more frequent, playing a vital role in detecting and mitigating hazards. GAWU applauds the collaborative efforts that have expanded inspections to cover more sectors, ensuring that safety standards are upheld and compliance is maintained.
Moreover, the greater use of personal protective equipment (PPE) across various industries, particularly agriculture and manufacturing, has been significantly improved. Today, the availability and mandatory use of PPEs have become standard practice in many workplaces, thereby reducing injuries and accidents. Through continued advocacy, GAWU has likewise supported initiatives to educate workers on the importance of PPE, and ensuring its consistent and proper use.
Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act has also seen substantial growth. Many employers now understand the importance of complying with the legislation, thereby ensuring that workplaces are equipped with emergency exits and proper ventilation, training programmes are undertaken and hazard control measures are implemented. GAWU has tirelessly worked to ensure workers know their rights under the OSH Act, and feel empowered to demand safe and healthy working environments.
Despite these significant achievements, we recognise that challenges persist. Workplace deaths and injuries remain a tragic reality, often resulting from gaps in compliance, outdated practices, and, in some instances, a lack of prioritisation of safety over productivity. The Union remains deeply concerned about these incidents, and is emphasising that no worker should suffer harm simply for earning a living.
We also recognise that as industries evolve, new risks emerge. The digital transformation of workspaces brings both opportunities and challenges. AI and digital tools can enhance monitoring, predict risks, and automate dangerous tasks, significantly reducing the likelihood of human injury. However, the digital age also demands new forms of vigilance, including protecting mental health, ensuring fair and ethical use of monitoring technologies, and preventing cyber-related hazards.
In observance of OSH Month 2025, GAWU has undertaken several activities to build greater awareness of the importance of occupational safety and the role of technology in revolutionising the field. The Union has hosted seminars and workshops for union members. These sessions explored several critical topics. Our workshops also offered practical training, empowering workers to identify unsafe conditions immediately. We see these initiatives as necessary to future-proof workplace safety.
As we look ahead, GAWU remains resolutely committed to advancing occupational safety and health in Guyana. We pledge to:
• Continue advocating for more vigorous enforcement of OSH standards.
• Support the modernisation of legislation to reflect technological advancements.
• Educate and train workers on emerging safety technologies.
• Encourage employer investment in digital solutions that prioritise workers’ welfare.
• Promote research and dialogue on the ethical implications of AI in workplace management.
We firmly believe that while technology would enhance human dignity, it also must be used to safeguard and protect human lives, not marginalise workers or compromise their rights. As we embrace innovation, we must listen to workers’ voices, needs, and experiences in evolving safety and health practices.
GAWU calls upon all stakeholders — Government, employers, and workers — to embrace the revolution in occupational safety and health, thus ensuring that the future of work is more productive and fundamentally safer and healthier.
As we observe OSH Day 2025, let us recommit to a future wherein every worker in Guyana could enjoy their right to a safe, healthy, and dignified working life. GAWU stands ready to lead the way in building this future — one in which technology is harnessed for good, and wherein the safety and well-being of every worker is paramount.
Together, let us revolutionize safety for a brighter, more secure tomorrow.
