MEMBERS of the local Chinese business community are now in a better position to work in harmony with their employees.

This is due to the conduct of a training seminar for the businesses hosted by the Ministry of Labour at the Chinese Association Hall, on  Brickdam Georgetown, on Thursday.
The programme for the well-attended event included the formal handing over of local labour laws translated into the Chinese language by Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul to President of the Association, Mr. Shilong Chow, who distributed copies to those who participated.
The documentation disbursed included explanations of the Shops Act, the Leave with Pay Act, Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, among others.
In remarks on the occasion, Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle told the Chinese that the seminar was the first of several planned to ensure that they are knowledgeable with the labour laws of Guyana.

LANGUAGE BARRIER
He said there have been some problems between the business people and their Guyanese employees, mainly due to a language barrier.
The programme and others to be conducted are designed to make sure that such problems are avoided.
Chow thanked the Ministry for staging the workshop and urged the intended beneficiaries to learn the laws and understand them, towards improving relations between themselves and their local employees and building a better and more beautiful Guyana.
Minister Gopaul commended those in attendance for the confidence they have placed in Guyana’s economy and their commitment to doing business in Guyana in a legitimate way.
He told them that each one of them, by virtue of their investment, was creating employment and generating wealth for Guyana and Government is not unmindful of this fact.
Gopaul emphasised that Guyana’s labour laws were not unfair or harsh since they addressed the expectations of both workers and management.
He expressed the hope that, with the information it now has, the Chinese business community would be in a better frame of mind and will be able to work with their Guyanese counterparts to avoid conflict.
“I want to thank you, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, for the efforts you are making in bringing business to Guyana, in creating employment for Guyana and we hope that, mutually, both the Government and people of Guyana, as well as your respective companies will benefit,” the Minister offered.