Child labour, TIP campaign to start shortly in mining communities

NATURAL Resources Minister, Robert Persaud has maintained that government will show zero tolerance to persons found to be involved in child labour and human trafficking.
The Guyana Government has, since the setting up of the Trafficking in Persons Unit, been paying keen attention to the issue, and raising awareness about it, and in so doing has been encouraging members of communities to ensure it does not happen in their areas. “At all times, the activities of our mining communities must be consistent with the law… At the end of the day, all of us must be proud of associating ourselves…,” he said Friday during a meeting with residents and mining operatives at Port Kaituma.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been given clear instructions to collaborate with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to raid all mining camps, to ensure compliance.
“I want all of us in our community, particularly the police, to be vigilant, and to take proper action, as it does not cast a good image [on our society],” he said.
Minister Persaud encouraged the mining community to not let the wrongs of some deter the performance of the sector and affect its image, as thus far, production has been quite favourable.
The Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) will be launching a campaign to help raise awareness of the situation, and its President, Ms Simona Broomes, has not only voiced her concerns about the issues, but also issued a stern warning against perpetrators.
During the ceremonial sod-turning ceremony on Friday for the construction of a multi-purpose complex at Port Kaituma, Broomes used the occasion to address the matter.
She has also issued a call for the police to be more vigilant by looking out for such cases.“We will not condone this behaviour!” she warned. “We will be back to launch a campaign in the ‘backdam’.”
In the past, there have been complaints by small miners of access to mining properties, and the government has been looking at alternatives to remedy the situation.
This has since seen two lotteries being held, and Minister Persaud announced that a third will be conducted in December, targeting small miners.(GINA)

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