CHINESE companies operating here were on Thursday afternoon urged to “get your house in order” by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes as they participated in an enlightenment session at the office of Movie Towne Project Site, Rupert Craig Highway. The forum, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Protection and the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana (ACEG), saw six Chinese companies participating.
“The APNU-AFC government is not anti-Chinese,” said Broomes who stated that this government has embraced all non-nationals and want to work along with them for the betterment of Guyana. “That is why I am here; to help you,” the minister stated.
Over the past few six months, there have been numerous complaints by workers about treatment being meted out to them by their Chinese employers. Many of these employers have said they have been operating here for a number of years but never had reason to interact with the Department of Labour.
“As long as you have workers you are bound to have differences. I am proud to see six Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from different companies sitting at this table. This is a positive sign and it is something we must build on,” Broomes said.
She said she understands that there may be challenges in understanding the laws of Guyana but it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department to educate all companies about the laws. She extended an invitation to the companies to be part of the ministry’s weekly training programme.
SPECIAL TRAINING
“The (Labour) department has training every Wednesday and we can facilitate a special training for them,” said the minister who noted that “basic things are lacking” in some of the companies with respect to compliance with the laws.
“We have to do some in-house work. You have to get your house in order. While the government is open and embracing to all non-nationals including Chinese, the employer-employee rights must be adhered to. The law is a must; we cannot flex that part of it,” she stated affirmatively.
Once there is compliance with the laws, both employers and employees would be happy. “Your relationship would be different, and your production and outcome of that would be a successful business.”
She also reminded the companies that they have invested significantly in Guyana, and it is important that they comply with the laws, lest more money is spent paying the penalties. “When you come here to do business, we must speak about the Chinese in a proud way,” she said.
STAND OUT!
The operations of Chinese companies here must “standout”, the minister stated passionately, making reference to her own personal experiences. “I charge you to stand out!”
Broomes assured the company representatives gathered that it is her ministry’s responsibility to ensure that both employers and employees rights are protected. “This is my responsibility by law. It is not only about the employee, it is also about the employer.”
She urged those defaulting companies to turn a new leaf. “So the past has gone and the future is ahead of us. How do we go forward from here? I say collaboration. I say communication, I say training, and I say dialogue. Those are a few things that will help us going forward.”
She warned against managers and other senior staff “using their authority in some negative ways against workers.” That, she stressed, is something that must be changed with urgency. “When you obey the law, you stand out,” said Broomes.
Meanwhile, in brief presentations the Chinese delegations were informed about labour regulations. Francis Caryll, Consultant attached to the Ministry of Social Protection, spoke of the employer-employee relationship and the main laws that govern and guide the employment contract.
He explained that it is the responsibility of the subject ministry to apprehend and resolve any differences that exist between and employer and employee; investigate and resolve any complaint made by any aggrieved current or past employee(s) and inspect any place of work at any time of the day or night.
He said that it is not the Department of Labour’s wish for any employer to be delinquent since being delinquent results in prosecution of employers for breaches. He outlined the various charges that employers may face for being delinquent: failure to pay wages and overtime, to maintain the pertinent wages; to grant leave with pay; make payment in lieu of leave; to give notice of termination; to make payment in lieu of notice; to pay severance and to report accidents, to name a few.
“If you don’t comply, you end up putting your hands deep in your pocket, and that is a problem, most employers don’t know that. They don’t budget for that… doing the right thing reduces your cost,” the consultant stressed.
A common practice, he said, is for companies not to report accidents. He urged the companies present to report accidents. “Accidents will occur regardless of how careful you are and you are mandated by law to report them. Many accidents occur and they do not report them because they want to hide them from the authorities and that is not good.”
“There is no amount of money you can compensate a man when injured,” Caryll added.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Labour, Occupational Safety & Health Officer, Lydia Greene briefly outlined the responsibilities that fall on companies under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. A breach of those provisions will result in penalties as the Act provides for the registration and regulation of the industrial establishment for Occupational Safety and Health of persons at work.
Representatives from the six companies present, CMC Guyana Transmission Line Project Office Inc.; BaiShanlin International Forest Development Inc.; China Railway First Group (Guyana) Inc.; Standard Agroforestry Inc.; China Habour Engineering Company (Guyana) Inc.; and Rong-An-Inc., all expressed gratitude to Minister Broomes for helping them become au fait with the labour laws.
Bailiang Chu, General Manager of Baishanlin International Forest Development Inc. apologised to Minister Broomes for failing to attend several meetings called by her ministry. He then committed to working with the Ministry of Social Protection to iron out all issues.

By Ariana Gordon