Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has issued a warning to companies, particularly foreign ones, against flouting Guyana’s labour laws, especially regarding wages and salaries.
Speaking at a ‘Conditions of Work and Occupational Safety and Health’ Seminar held at Regency Hotel, Minister Hamilton highlighted instances where companies were found to be circumventing local labour regulations.
He specifically mentioned cases where foreign companies were not adhering to overtime pay regulations, opting instead to accumulate overtime hours and provide compensatory time off at their discretion.
Minister Hamilton emphasized that such practices will not be tolerated, and the Ministry of Labour will take action to ensure compliance with labour laws.
Addressing representatives from both private and public sector companies attending the seminar, Minister Hamilton stressed the importance of ensuring that workers are well-informed about their contractual duties in line with Guyana’s labour laws.
He urged workers to demand a contract from their employers to clearly understand their obligations and rights.
The seminar, attended by over 60 companies from both sectors representing approximately 10,500 workers, aimed to promote a culture shift towards occupational safety and health in the workplace.
This event marked the second seminar of its kind for the year, following one held on February 15 exclusively for private sector companies.
Reported by Delicia Janneire for NCN News.