A number of Chinese business owners were on Sunday sensitised on Guyana’s labour laws.
The seminar focused on the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Leave with Pay Act, Minimum Wage Order, Occupational Safety and Health Act, decent work as a philosophy and practice, and terms and conditions of employment.
The exercise, hosted at the Chinese Association, Brickdam, was led by Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott; Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and other labour officers from the Ministry.
With the establishment of several large and small Chinese owned-businesses across the country, Minister Scott noted the timeliness and importance of the seminar in ensuring these business owners comply with the local labour laws.
It was highlighted that many businesses seeking to maximise profits often find themselves in contravention of the labour laws.
“Breaking those laws can affect your success and your continued survival. It is better to be educated with the requirements of our laws and comply with them, as opposed to relying on high-priced lawyers to fight your case in court,” Minister Scott stated. Chief Labour Officer Ogle told the business owners the Labour Department (which falls under the Social Protection Ministry) focused on protecting the rights of workers. He explained its remit included ensuring payment of the minimum wage and above, ensuring workers’ contributions were made to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and employees receive their annual leave.
Ogle also pointed out that employees should only work eight hours a day and five days per week. If there is need for an employee to work beyond that, he noted, the employee is entitled to be paid overtime. According to Ogle, it is stipulated in the laws that every employer must have a “record of wages, a record of leave; the law says in Section 10 of the Labour Act, all employers must keep a record of wages. Also, under the Leave and Pay Act, Section Eight, stipulates that the employers must keep a record of the Leave with Pay Act,” he outlined.
The sensitising of foreign entrepreneurs on Guyana’s labour laws is an ongoing countrywide exercise by the Labour Department. A similar exercise is slated to be carried out with the Brazilian business owners.
