THE Ministry of Labour and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) reaffirmed their shared commitment to workforce development and private sector support during a high-level engagement held Wednesday at the GCCI headquarters.

The forum, led by Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, and GCCI President Ms. Kathy Smith, brought together senior government officials and private sector representatives to discuss legal compliance, training opportunities, and strategies for inclusive economic growth.

Ms. Smith welcomed the Ministry’s initiative, noting that the session reflected a vital step forward in bridging gaps between regulators and the business community. She emphasised that many of GCCI’s over 130 corporate members—predominantly small, medium, and micro enterprises—often lack familiarity with critical legal and regulatory structures.

“We want to ensure our members are not in violation of the law and are fully aware of their obligations,” she said. “That’s why your presence here today is so meaningful.”

Minister Hamilton, in a candid and far-reaching address, called for deeper collaboration between businesses and the Ministry to ensure proper adherence to labour laws and better training for the workforce.

“Too often, companies rely on external consultants who provide incorrect legal advice,” the Minister cautioned. “Let me be clear: the authority on labour laws and standards lies with the Ministry of Labour. We provide this advice at no cost.”

He also pushed for a cultural shift away from overvaluing academic qualifications in hiring decisions.

“Having ten CXCs does not mean someone is employable,” he said. “Real employability stems from ethics, professionalism, and readiness for the job.”

Minister Hamilton highlighted the Ministry’s no-cost training initiatives, including those run by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), which has trained more than 13,000 persons—60 per cent of them women—over the past five years.

He encouraged businesses to fully utilise apprenticeship programmes and the CRMA’s job bank while helping shape training content to address emerging industries like fiber optic maintenance and solar photovoltaic systems.

“We have a vibrant apprenticeship programme that is underutilised. Businesses can groom ideal employees from day one, and this is an opportunity that should not be missed,” he urged.

Another priority addressed was Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), with Minister Hamilton underlining that mental health is now formally included under OSH regulations.

“We’ve seen cases where employers act like torturers. Mental health is not optional—it’s now part of the legal OSH framework, and we are working with the Ministry of Health to address it across sectors,” he said.

The Minister ended with a call for strong tripartite collaboration—government, labour, and business—stressing the ongoing relevance of unions and the need for internal employee representation even in their absence.

Also in attendance were senior officials from the Labour Ministry, including Chief Labour Officer Mr. Dhaneshwar Deonarine; Chief Executive Officer of BIT, Mr. Richard Maughn; Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer Ms. Yolanda Grant; OSH Consultant Ms. Gweneth King; and Chief Cooperative Development Officer Mr. Janaknauth Panchu.

The session concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue and partnership. The Ministry pledged to maintain an open-door policy and to support the private sector with practical tools to build a modern, inclusive, and legally compliant labour market.