ACROSS Guyana today we see a multitude of Call Centres popping up because multinationals are seeking out cheaper labour. We are happy that these companies are coming to aid in the already overcrowded unemployment market but at what cost? Some of these companies come offering little or no job satisfaction, poor or no working conditions, poor salaries, long hours and at times no job security etc. Take for example a popular multibillion dollar corporation which claims to be bigger and better at what it does, however they are spinning the heads of employees. First off there is no union to protect the rights of employees.
If you don’t agree slavishly with the managers, you are bound to be victimized. Recently due to the Ministry of Labour stepping into the organization casual employees are now free to take leave and be paid. There were not paid for the last 3 years. Some employees were paid for ½ day when they took leave (they were lucky).
They are still however not entitled to have bonuses even though they work as hard as all other employees who do the same job. There are many other issues being faced by employees such as the absence of meal allowances, employees being fired wrongfully without investigation etc. Due to nonexistent legislation that governs call centers there is nothing the Ministry of Labour can do to protect employees. This company created their own medical policy not in keeping with the medical policy for companies laid out by the National Insurance Scheme. When will someone step up to protect Guyanese from foreign companies taking advantage of our poverty?
We need legislation to cover: –
1. Wages and Salaries
2. Hours of Work
3. Length of service being permanent, part time or casual
4. Terms and conditions for vacation leave
5. Medical procedures
6. Insurance benefits
7. Bonus, meal allowances benefits
8. Disciplinary actions and terms of termination procedures
9. Terms and conditions on collective bargaining
10. How to deal with Sexual Harassment at the workplace
Just to name a few. We look forward for the Ministry of Human Services and Social security also to look into these affairs. We can use all the help we can get!