The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity Party (ALP), led by former minister and human rights activist Simona Broomes, has called for urgent reforms to Guyana’s occupational safety and health laws following the deaths of four men aboard a vessel in Georgetown earlier this month.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party extended condolences to the families and communities of Brandon Deonarine, Nerwaine Persaud, Dominic Alexis and Getindra Sanchara, who died after an incident on a vessel in Georgetown on February 4, 2026.
According to the release, initial reports indicate that the men were exposed to suspected noxious fumes in a confined space within the engine room of the vessel, collapsed, and later died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The party said that while preliminary information points to exposure to harmful gas, the exact cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed.
The ALP said the incident highlights the need for stronger and clearer legal protections for workers operating in high-risk environments and called for a comprehensive review and reform of Guyana’s occupational safety and health legislative framework.
According to the party, any reforms should specifically address confined spaces, vessel operations, mandatory gas detection systems, emergency response protocols, employer accountability and the provision of adequate and timely compensation to families or next of kin of workers who lose their lives in the course of employment.
The party said the deaths raise serious concerns about workplace safety standards, emergency response capacity and accountability for the conditions under which the men were working.
“It is unacceptable for families and the public to be left with uncertainty and unanswered questions when lives have been lost,” the statement said.
The ALP has also called on the Government of Guyana to ensure that the ongoing investigation into the incident is conducted with full transparency, urgency and independence.
The party further urged that the findings of the investigation be released publicly without unnecessary delay, noting that in many cases investigations are announced but the results are never made public, leaving families without closure or accountability.
In addition, the ALP called on the relevant authorities to immediately review safety practices and enforcement mechanisms related to confined spaces, maritime operations and occupational health standards, with the aim of preventing a recurrence of such a tragedy.
The party concluded its statement with its slogan, “A good change for all Guyanese.”
