The Ministry of Labour has embarked on a nationwide campaign to educate employees about the Laws of Guyana as they relate to rights, benefits and entitlements, as part of the activities to mark the observance of Occupational Health and Safety month. Management and employees of the Demerara Lumber Suppliers at Caledonia, East Bank Demerara, were lectured on the Holiday with Pay Act, Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, and the Occupational, Health and Safety procedures.
Assistant Chief Labour, Occupational, Health and Safety Officer, Charles Ogle, told the employees that the legislation covers the minimum standards and provides for workers to be paid regardless of holidays.
“If you are working six days a week and a holiday falls in that week, it’s not your fault, you should be paid,” Ogle said.
He disclosed that should the employee’s service be requested on certain holidays which attract double pay in a factory setting, then that person must be paid double.
The officer detailed that for every month worked, employees are entitled to one day’s leave.
“So you’re entitled to 12 days each year. Public holidays and Sundays cannot be counted as leave,” Ogle advised.
Under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, justifiable dismissal does not attract severance pay, neither does resignation without notice.
“If you leave without notice, you’re not entitled to benefits and if you work less than a year, you must give your employer two months notice and you also must be given two months notice if they are terminating your services,” the Labour Officer pointed out.
He stated that there is no legal obligation on employers to honour sickness benefits but this is left to management’s discretion.
In relation to unfair dismissal and imposition of penalty, no person should be punished for reasons of their race, age, sex, religion, ethnicity, political opinion, marital status or social origin.
Ogle said pregnancy or reasons connected with pregnancy as well as participation in industrial action should not be justification for termination of employment.
In a recession, workers can be laid off for a period of six weeks after which they may either be rehired or recalled for severance pay. Where a business is sold, the employees must not stand to suffer.
In a case where an employee is consistently late or absent, that person must be given a written warning and can also be suspended without pay.
A dismissal would be enacted on such an employee after two warnings for the same or similar offences.
During her presentation on occupational health, Labour Officer, Sadhiya Jabaar, reminded the workers to adopt safety measures by utilising personal protection equipment.
She warned them against getting injured through falls, fires, flying particles and dangerous chemicals by wearing safety gear including helmets, goggles, face masks, steel-toe boots and gloves.
The seminars will continue throughout April with lectures at various entities in all the regions.