GUYANA has several laws which cater to the well-being of employees in both the private and public sectors including the Trade Union Recognition Act, which allows workers to join a trade union of their choice, the termination of employment and severance pay act and the anti-discrimination act. These offer adequate protection to workers. While the country has these pieces of legislation, the Ministry of Labour intends to assess other components of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) Convention that can be ratified. One in particular is Occupational Health and Safety according to Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul.
With regards to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Acts, which protect workers who would have been dismissed by their employers and are not union members, Minister Gopaul expressed disappointment that employers sometimes use bankruptcy as an excuse, thereby depriving workers of their right entitlement.
He added that this matter is currently being examined and the ministry is working towards ensuring employers pay workers their due entitlement.
“What I think is disheartening is the fact that although we have these laws many workers, whenever they feel they have been victimized and their rights have been trampled upon, despite the fact that they don’t have a trade union, they don’t come forward and bring the issue to the fore by coming to the Ministry of Labour,” stated Dr Gopaul.
He is therefore, appealing to those workers who are aware that their rights have been violated to approach the Labour Ministry for assistance, even as he also appealed to employers to observe the labour laws to ensure the existence of a healthy working environment.
Dr Gopaul is also urging employers to pay their workers’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions so that they can receive their pensions. The minister explained that the ministry is looking at means of prosecuting those who default in this regard.