–Minister Broomes urges women to get ‘registered’ before accepting ‘bush work’

By Shauna Jemmott
GOVERNMENT is urging women who accept employment offers from dredge owners and businessmen in mining districts to protect themselves by obtaining a ‘Certificate of Registration’, a binding agreement made with the employers through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).This is another move by the Ministry of Natural Resources to eradicate exploitation and Trafficking in Persons in mining communities; and according to Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, some women are not aware that they need a ‘Certificate of Registration’.

Speaking on Monday to a woman who had turned up at her Brickdam office to complain of being exploited by her former employer at Omai, in the Potaro Mining District, Minister Broomes encouraged her to “take the right steps” in securing employment in the mining districts through a binding agreement.

An adult individual going on his or her own to work in any mining district must obtain a ‘Privilege’ from any GGMC office at a price of $500; but a woman entering the areas to work with others must obtain a ‘Certificate of Registration’, Minister Broomes explained.

The complaining woman told Minister Broomes she had worked for two months without receiving the promised monthly salary of $100,000. Her employer now owes her $200,000, and had allegedly abused her while flatly stating that she would not be paid.

‘Because of the same issue with women and all that, we have moved that you have to get a Certificate of Registration to go into the mining district… The Certificate of Registration is where the person that you’re going and work with has to apply for that; and they’ve got to state what you’re going and work with them as” – Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources

“Because of the same issue with women and all that, we have moved that you have to get a Certificate of Registration to go into the mining district. The Certificate of Registration is where the person that you’re going and work with has to apply for that; and they’ve got to state what you’re going and work with them as,” Minister Broomes said.

In many cases, employers against whom complaints were made have denied that the complainants were actually employed with them; but, Minister Broomes explained, the ‘Certificate of Registration’ is proof of employment.

“That is something that is binding, and they have to take responsibility of. For future reference, anybody want you to work with them in the interior, you just tell them that they have to get a Certificate of Registration; let them come to GGMC, and you come with them, and get a Certificate of Registration,” Minister Broomes said.

She said the Ministry of Natural Resources will no longer tolerate exploitation of women and girls in the hinterland region, and is drafting policy to address the issue.

“It will help you, because the situation with women and the exploitation of women going out and work… It has to change. We’re addressing it right now. We’re going to have something policy-wise on that.

“It’s not something I’m going to just sit down and take a cup of coffee over; it’s something that I feel strongly against, and that type of exploitation will not be tolerated,” Minister Broomes said.