THE Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning is advancing the review and modernisation of Guyana’s labour laws through consultations with government, legal and international labour stakeholders.
The latest discussions were held on Tuesday in the Ministry’s Boardroom, with participants examining areas where existing legislation may require amendment, harmonisation or repeal.
The consultation is part of the Ministry’s ongoing effort to strengthen Guyana’s labour legislative framework and ensure that it remains responsive to current workplace and economic conditions.
Among those participating were Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Special Projects Officer, Alicia Jerome Reece; Principal Legal Adviser at the Attorney General’s Chambers/Ministry of Legal Affairs, Reanna Clarke; Chief Labour Officer, Aslim Singh; Legal Officer, Alyea Williams; consultant Deborah Thomas-Felix; and Shingo Miyake, International Labour Standards and Labour Law Specialist with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
The discussions are addressing legislative drafting and the harmonisation of labour laws, as well as possible amendments or repeal of existing legislation.
Participants are also considering constitutional and administrative law requirements, challenges associated with prosecution and the need to align Guyana’s labour legislation with relevant ILO Conventions and CARICOM standards.
The Ministry said the consultations are intended to help establish a modern and coherent legislative framework governing employment and labour relations.
Further consultations are planned with government agencies, workers’ and employers’ representatives, legal professionals and other stakeholders as the review process continues.
The wider engagement is expected to provide opportunities for stakeholders to contribute to the examination of existing labour legislation and identify areas requiring reform.