By Tracy Liverpool
The Ministry of Labour conducted an occupational safety and health (OSH) seminar in Linden on Monday, focusing on improving work conditions and ensuring compliance with OSH regulations.
Held at the Watooka Guest House, the seminar saw participation from representatives of over fifteen organizations.
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, in his remarks, emphasized the significance of such initiatives in developing organizations and supporting businesses through skills training.
He highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to offering free training through the Board of Industrial Training to help boost the skillsets of workers in various sectors.
Minister Hamilton also addressed employers, urging them to prioritize labor relations and employee rights, which include fair severance, contractual agreements, and paid lunch hours.
These were some of the concerns raised by participants during the seminar.
Roderick Allicock, a Health and Safety Officer at Bosai Minerals, praised the seminar for providing valuable information to help regulate companies and industries.
Firefighter Jafar Moore also found the event beneficial, particularly in reinforcing the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure workplace safety.
Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine led a presentation covering key aspects of working conditions, including overtime policies, time off, calculating hourly wages, and addressing unfair dismissals.
His explanations helped clarify some of the common misunderstandings around these issues, providing attendees with better insight into their rights and responsibilities.