By Samuel Gillis
Today, the Ministry of Labour organized a seminar focusing on the laws governing the workplace, addressing crucial topics such as overtime, termination, severance, and unfair dismissal.
Chief Labor Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine highlighted the significance of the seminar, emphasizing the overwhelming interest from the private sector in understanding workplace regulations.
Over 88 businesses, representing approximately 14,000 employees, participated in the seminar, with more than 140 representatives in attendance.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
He noted a positive trend in workplace safety, citing a decrease in workplace fatalities from 32 in 2020 to 20 in 2023.
Minister Hamilton underscored the ministry’s commitment to further reducing workplace accidents and fatalities.
Carvil Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), emphasized the role of trade unions in advocating for a conducive working environment.
Representing over 40,000 workers, Duncan highlighted the importance of protecting employees from exploitation in the workplace, noting that trade unions serve as a shield against such practices.
Looking ahead, a second seminar is scheduled for March 6, targeting employees from both the private and public sectors.
This initiative underscores the Ministry of Labour’s commitment to fostering awareness and compliance with workplace laws across all sectors of the economy.