THE Executive Committee of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), on Friday, engaged the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, about foreigners displacing Guyanese workers.

A press release from GAWU noted that since the union established its Oil and Gas Branch in June 2021, workers from the sector have continued to regularly visit and interact with the Union.

The union shared with Minister Benn that a prominent concern of workers in the sector has been the presence of foreigners to the detriment of Guyanese.

“[GAWU] indicated to the Minister that workers have informed our union that, in many instances, they were locals who, though capable of undertaking certain jobs, were unable to grasp such opportunities, as foreigners were apparently given preference,” the press release indicated.

It was further noted that some workers informed GAWU that they were required to demonstrate to their foreign superiors how they should undertake their tasks.
Minister Benn was also told that some firms were recruiting foreigners for unskilled and semi-skilled jobs which can competently be performed by locals.

GAWU told Minister Benn that…it appeared that some foreigners had not possessed relevant documents and were seemingly not fearful of being caught for improperly working in Guyana.

According to the release, in response, Minister Benn thanked the GAWU for its forthrightness on the issue, noting that his ministry has also heard of similar issues.

He urged GAWU that whenever it receives information such should be communicated to his ministry in order for such situations to be addressed.