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The year 2012 was a fairly successful one under the new Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul, who dealt with a number of issues that have been central to the daily work life and welfare of the nation’s workforce; the development of the individual and communities; and the industrial relations landscape of the nation.
Increased wages for certain categories
The ministry, during the year, examined the minimum wages of workers who are non-unionised, such as parlour and bar attendants, barbers, gas stations attendants and, those in areas of similar standing, where 10 to 12 people are employed. This was done due to the fact that such workers have no protection, no minimum wage and no defined hours of work. In 2013, steps will be taken to define a national minimum wage so that no Guyanese worker earns below the set limit, thereby offering them some degree of security.
CRMA and job placement
The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), an arm of the Ministry of Labour, increased its job placement by 42%. A total of 2,825 persons registered for employment in 2012, as against 2,919 in 2011.
The CRMA found employment for 2,862 registered persons in 2012. Among the successful categories were supervisors, typist clerks, customer service representatives, clerical and office support, welders, drivers, fitter machinists, mechanics for craft and related jobs, factory workers, cleaners, sales clerks, labourers, security officers, bag bay attendants, porters and counter clerks.
Co-operative movement
The co-operative movement has played a critical role in the socio economic life of Guyana; but speaking at the local observance of the UN Year of Co-operatives, Minister Gopaul announced his displeasure at the malpractices in some local co-operatives, and warned that “stringent actions” will be directed at such bodies.
He alluded to a series of violations within the societies, such as failure to report audit, unaudited accounts, wealthy people taking over lands, and executive members who pay little regard to the management of their cooperatives. He called on all board members who are not credit union members to become involved for the mutual benefit of themselves and others.
Employers and industrial relations
Guyana’s industrial relations climate can be described as generally peaceful, with reasonably amicable relations between employee and employer; and this must include the Trade Union Movement as well. But despite this relative tranquility, there have been problems that have threatened the industrial peace, because of employers not adhering to, and implementing, the labour laws.
Minister Gopaul warned that “brazen disrespect” for the country’s labour laws will not be tolerated by his ministry, and that problematic companies that are continuous in their “strained labour and industrial relations” with workers and unions will be monitored.
Foreign firms and labour laws
It is an absolute necessity for foreign firms to understand the labour laws of the country in which they have established their operations, since these are vital for a smooth working relationship with their employees.
The Ministry of Labour brought together the considerable Brazilian business presence in Guyana, shop, hotel, and restaurant owners, for a seminar on the various labour laws of Guyana. But what was unique about this interaction was the handing over by the ministry, to the Brazil Development Institute and the Brazilian Mining Association, copies of Guyana Labour Laws translated into Portuguese.
Occupational Safety and Health
Within the decade, the issue of health and safety practices in the workplace has assumed great significance, given the spate of fatalities on worksites; and with many of these worksite deaths occurring within the mining sector, it was only appropriate that this area become the focus of attention for a seminar on safety standards and practices.
At this seminar, Minister Gopaul highlighted the high cost of industrial accidents to the State and employer, but more so, to the workers and their families. Because of the high price of gold, there has been increased activity in this sector, hence the need for greater vigilance.
Elaborating on legislation that has been enacted, Minister Gopaul informed that such will be supported by regulations, both pieces being the product of various stakeholders who are represented on the Tripartite Committee.
NTPYE trained 977
The National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), under the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), has been providing the opportunity for school dropouts and unemployed youths to access training to make them marketable; and for 2012, 977 persons from Regions 2, 3, 4. 5, 6 and 7 successfully completed the programme.
Engineering accounted for 265 of the total, health sector 212, hospitality 306, Information Technology and Clerical 242, Forestry and Mining 89, and others 47.
Dr Gopaul said that the Labour Ministry targeted 100 apprentices for training, 1500 under the NTPYE and 400 single parents.
Youths are trained in areas such as mechanic, electrical repairs, welding, masonry, catering, patient care assistants, record keeping, cosmetology, garment construction, heavy duty operators and information technology.
Next year there are plans to include driver salesman into the programme.
There were satisfactory results in terms of a “drastic reduction” in strikes. With specific reference to the sugar industry, there were 131 strikes in 2012, as against 221, in 2011.
A series of workshops on capacity building were done in the form of in-house training for Labour Ministry’s staff, NIS inspectors and probation officers, who benefitted from prosecution courses held by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
There were International Labour Organisation (ILO)-conducted programmes with the ministry’s staff on writing convention reports, and reporting the ministry’s obligation to this labour organisation.
There was also a five-day workshop on safety in the Forestry and Fishing sectors.
Minister Gopaul attended an ILO conference in June, a ministerial meeting in Trinidad and Tobago on Social dialogue, and an Organisation of American States (OAS) hosted Labour Ministers’ gathering in Washington that dealt specifically with OH&S and child labour.
The ministry and its tripartite partners became signatories to the Decent Work Country Programme, thus making Guyana the ninth Caribbean country to do so.
Under the ministry, the Essential Services Act was amended, thereby bringing the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Berbice Bridge under its regulation.
In keeping with its HIV/AIDS initiative, the Ministry of Labour prepared and drafted a relevant programme.
That the ministry did pursue a proactive agenda is well reflected in the type of programmes that it undertook with regard to industrial practices. All were relevant and timely, dealing with issues that are integral to the general labour force and industrial relations in particular. (GINA)
