THE Ministry of Social Protection has expressed concerns about the increasing number of reports of labour violations being committed by entities in the mining industry and again called for the labour laws to be respected.In recent months, the Labour Department of the ministry said it has received numerous reports from workers about being forced to work under deplorable conditions, including having to work for months without pay.
“We have also had reports of arbitrary dismissals attended by non-payment of severance entitlements, including salaries and terminal benefits. Other earlier reports of similar alleged employer transgressions are on file,” the ministry said in a release.
Some workers in the mining sector have told stories of having to work long hours without adequate compensation. In some instances, they would have left their families for months at a time, and must return home without money or with insufficient amounts, often stricken with malaria or some other ailment.
“These cases often prove difficult to investigate, since employers are not only out of telephone contact, but frequently do not operate registered businesses,” the ministry said, adding that it continues to investigate all reported cases.
“We are comforted to know that we have had some success stories; success for exploited workers, that is. That notwithstanding, we continue to be concerned that too many employers continue to circumvent the law, and, up until now, to get away with it.”
Accordingly, the ministry plans to collaborate with the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in an effort to address this issue in a holistic manner.
The ministry is of the firm view that the GGMC, the regulatory body for operators in the mining industry, and the GGDMA, the association that represents miners, can play an integral role in this process.
The ministry also believes that the process can be twofold: Education of employers on the labour laws, and empowering workers on their rights.
There are too many workers suffering, and employers need to understand that they have an obligation when hiring persons to work in the interior, and not operate as if they are a law onto themselves, and hire and fire at a whim. The ministry said it wishes to put all employers on notice that the labour laws will be enforced, and workers’ rights will be respected.
“We urge that the labour laws be respected and we open our doors to employers who may need assistance in understanding their obligations to their employees,” the release concluded.