– Labour Minister

By Faith Greene
Under the theme “A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work”, the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Labour launched its Occupational Safety and Health Month 2023 at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown office on Friday.

In his address, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, stated that ‘A safe and healthy working environment’, is one of the five categories of fundamental principles and rights at work as outlined by the international Labour Organization.

The other categories, he noted, include freedom of association and the elective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the elective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

He further stated that the need for a safe and healthy work environment in workplaces could not be stressed enough, adding that the reports by the International Labour Organization (ILO), based on recent studies done, have found that there is a growing demand for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety professionals in the construction and oil & gas sectors in Guyana

Furthermore, the Minister acknowledged that while workplace fatalities are important to the Ministry, it must be reported that there has been a significant and continuing decline in the number of workplace fatalities compared with 2021 and 2022, which saw major decreases of 16 and 22 per cent, respectively.

The Minister said further that the services of the Occupational Health and Safety Department (OSHD), have expanded, with the creation of an additional twenty positions within the Occupational Health and Safety Department that provide services throughout the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

The Minister said that since he assumed duty as Minister of Labour, he has recognised the need for the Ministry to establish offices and have Occupational Safety and Health Officers stationed in each administrative region, specifically in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

According to Minister Hamilton, the Ministry has requested that workplaces in Georgetown and Regions 1–10 execute programmes in observance of Occupational Safety and Health Month this year. He added that the response has been positive so far and noted that workplaces had indicated several training programmes: fire prevention and first aid, hanging banners, safety and health competitions, and hazard hunts.

Meanwhile, the Department has developed a host of activities, including the launch of the month, the annual OSH walk, and outreaches that aim to focus on the safety of miners and construction workers while at work and their safe return to their friends and families at the end of the work day.

Additionally, Regions two, three, five and six will target the agricultural sector.

The execution of these activities is expected to rebound to the benefit of the working people of Guyana and their families.
Also speaking at the launch ceremony were Eslyn Harris, General Secretary of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union, and the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress.

She noted that including safe and healthy working conditions are a fundamental principle of the right to work. Furthermore, she said it is an expression of commitment by the government, employers, and workers’ organisations to uphold fundamental human values that are vital to our social and economic lives.

“A healthy workplace is one where workers and managers collaborate to continually improve the safety, health, and wellbeing of all workers, and, by so doing, sustain the productivity of the business. Workers that feel valued, safe and healthy are more than likely to be more productive and committed to their work. Healthy workplaces can reduce insurance cost, increase worker productivity, satisfaction and retention. Healthy workplaces can lead to the overall good of the nation and it can increase organisation resilience.”

Furthermore, she urged employers to adopt a safe and healthy culture and to ensure a safe and healthy work environment by actively implementing efficient and effective Occupational Safety and Health management systems.

Occupational Health and Safety Month 2023 will be celebrated throughout April in Guyana, while April 28 will serve as Occupational Safety and Health Day worldwide.