Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to improving labour standards by signing its third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). On Monday the agreement was formalised during the opening of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 13th Caribbean Ministers of Labour Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), held under the theme “Decent work for resilience: Securing the future of Caribbean Labour.”
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips highlighted the importance of the theme, addressing regional labour challenges. He noted that while Guyana’s growing economy has created thousands of jobs, disparities in employment equity persist, with a labour force participation rate of 49.6% and youth unemployment at 32%. Key sectors like agriculture, mining, and oil and gas have shown growth, yet women’s workforce participation remains low at 37.8%. Analysts believe the unemployment and women’s participation data may be higher given Guyana’s poor data gathering techniques.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to tackle the issues they have restored the constitutional right to free education from nursery to university it took away from university students in 1994. The right was first instituted by the Forbes Burnham government. The government claim wages/salary increases as another initiative though spiraling cost of living has eroded real wage. Training opportunities is another initiative claimed by the government as its GOAL Programme is marred in controversy.
The formalisation of informal labour is also a priority, with the Ministry of Labour claiming to be focused on increasing compliance and inspections
PM Phillips emphasised the importance of occupational health and safety, stating that it must be a cornerstone of economic resilience. The government, with ILO support, is drafting amendments to modernise the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton thanked the ILO for its continued support and called for further regional collaboration to safeguard workers’ rights. ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo and Minister of State Daren Pinard also praised the initiative for fostering collective action on labor rights in the Caribbean.
