I must here assume that as it is in Guyana, provision exists for the investigation and reporting on all accidents at workplace. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security to investigate and report on all accidents at the workplace. Any such investigation must be thoroughly conducted to determine both the cause and nature of the accident. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour must be prepared to advance remedial measures to be implemented so as to avoid recurrences.

As the law now stands only those accidents that result in loss of life or limb or cause the worker to be absent from work for more than one day need to be reported. Notwithstanding that, there are work rules that make it mandatory for all accidents to be reported, under the policy, the regulatory body is the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security which has statutory powers. Provision is also made for the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health which already exists and which was instrumental in the formation of the National Policy.

The Policy also outlines the Roles and Responsibilities of the following in the pursuit of improved safety and health standards at workplace. As I have already stated, I will not enter the controversy about whether authority is functioning in the best interest of the worker. What I can say, is that which ever it is, whether the Ministry of Health, National Insurance Scheme etc a fair amount of clout must posses if changes for the better are realised. I have not commented on the problem in matters of discipline by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in matters of grievance and its handling.

As the noted Guyanese poet Martin Carter, puts it in speaking of a turbulent period of our history,” These are dark times my love…” Carter was addressing his wife, and as it was then, so is it now. Indeed, for the workers of the sugar industry and the mining industry, these are indeed dark time.

Structural adjustments, market economies and the like have ushered in another period of dark times. Not only for the Sugar and the Bauxite Industries, but the entire workforce in Guyana, as we have done before, must now do again, for our survival.
MOHAMED KHAN
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