The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) has issued a strong call for accountability following today’s deadly construction site accident in Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, where one person was killed and four others were reportedly trapped under a collapsed wall.
In a statement, the party extended “heartfelt condolences to the family of the individual who tragically lost his life,” while highlighting the ongoing rescue efforts. “An ALP member was present on the scene and witnessed firsthand the anguish of families and the urgent efforts of responders,” the party noted.
The party’s leader, Dr. Simona Broomes — a renowned rights activist and former Minister of Labour under the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government — emphasised the urgent need to address workplace safety violations and to strengthen enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, first enacted in 1999 and amended in 2009.
“This tragedy underscores a deeper issue: the lack of strict enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act,” the statement read. “Too often the public sees accidents without transparent investigations or visible consequences for those responsible.”
The ALP laid out a clear set of demands for the relevant authorities:
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Review and enforce building codes and safety regulations under the OSH Act
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Hold contractors, companies, and individuals accountable where breaches occur, with public disclosure of penalties or convictions
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Amend the OSH Act to guarantee rights to compensation for victims and their families, with enforcement of those provisions
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Ratify ILO Convention 187, to complement existing commitments under ILO Convention 155, and promote a national culture of prevention and transparency
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Guarantee that investigations and outcomes are made public, so citizens know when laws were breached and what actions were taken
With Guyana’s oil-driven economic expansion resulting in a surge of construction and infrastructure projects, Broomes warned that such tragedies could become more frequent without stronger worker protections. “As Guyana advances into the oil and gas era, the risks to workers grow,” the ALP said. “Our laws must safeguard every worker in this new phase of development.”
“No life should ever be lost to preventable safety failures,” the ALP added, vowing to continue pressing for “transparency, accountability, and full enforcement of safety laws to protect every Guyanese worker.”
The collapse site remains under investigation, with questions mounting about adherence to safety protocols and whether this fatal incident could have been avoided
