The recent public disclosure that “Gov’t recovered millions for sacked workers

last year”, through the Ministry of Labour, must have surprised many, but least of all those who would have benefitted from such initiatives.
Though the   profile of this ministry is highlighted during times of industrial unrest, this agency is very pivotal to the delicate balance of ensuring the industrial peace, while protecting the rights of workers. Its further functions cover mediating in industrial disputes; ordering arbitration of labour disputes; setting of minimum wages for certain categories of workers; ensuring that labour laws are observed, that worker occupational safety and health standards are observed, and the investigation of employees’ complaints against employers.
It is the latter function that comprises perhaps the  significant section of this  executive agency’s daily functions, ranging from employees’ complaints of excess working hours without receiving the corresponding remuneration, to being sacked without any reasonable and proper explanation, and without the necessary monetary rights.
For Guyanese who have taken this ministry and its functions for granted, news of its monumental efforts on behalf of affected workers, and subsequent   phenomenal success for 2012, will serve to remind the  nation in general that the PPP, administration via its stipulated arm, is more than capable of representing their causes.
It was indeed re-assuring to the labour movement, and the Guyanese worker, when the hardworking Labour Minister declared: “I will be your minister, and the minister of all workers in this country, and work towards ensuring we have a level playing field, irrespective of your political affiliations”.
And just to underline the sincerity and serious action executed by this ministry on workers behalf – a total of $25.6M was collected on behalf of workers who had filed complaints against their employers for various infractions. This success resulted from 34 charges, levelled against 14 defaulting employers.
Other notable successes notched up by this Ministry in 2012 that underlines its effectiveness as the important force in the nation’s industrial relations environment include:
*A drastic reduction in strikes. With reference to the sugar industry, there were 131 strikes in 2012, as against 221 in 2011.
*The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), an arm of the ministry, increased its job placement by 42%.
*The CRMA found employment for 2862 persons in 2012, in the categories of typist clerks, customer service representatives, clerical,  welders, drivers, fitter machinists, mechanics for craft and related jobs, factory workers, cleaners, sales clerks, labourers, security officers, porters and counter clerks,
*A total of 2919 persons were registered for employment in 2012, as against 2825 in 2011.
*The ministry and its tripartite partners became signatories to the Decent Work Country Programme, making Guyana the ninth Caribbean country to do so.
*The drafting of a relevant programme for the HIV/AIDS initiative.
These are just some of the interventions, carried out by the Ministry of Labour,  that have continued to  add to a peaceful industrial climate in Guyana, in addition to upholding the rights of the working class.