Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour held a high-level engagement on Wednesday with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in a landmark session aimed at deepening collaboration between government and the private sector. The focus: ensuring legal compliance, developing the workforce, and driving inclusive economic progress.
Held at the GCCI’s headquarters in Georgetown, the forum featured a keynote address by Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, and remarks by Ms Kathy Smith, President of the GCCI.
Ms Smith lauded the Ministry’s direct engagement, calling it vital for the business community’s growth and legal awareness.
“These are organisations that advocate on behalf of businesses,” she said. “GCCI has now surpassed 130 corporate citizens. While 70 per cent of our members are small and medium enterprises, many micro-businesses are now coming in. But they’re often unfamiliar with the regulatory structure, especially as it relates to labour. That’s why your presence here today is so meaningful.”
In a frank and wide-ranging address, Minister Hamilton addressed a number of critical issues plaguing the business-labour interface. Chief among them: the prevalence of employers relying on unqualified consultants for labour advice.
“Over the years, I’ve heard companies say they acted on the advice of lawyers or HR consultants—even when those actions were against the law,” he said. “Let me be clear: the authority to speak on labour law, hiring practices, and workplace standards lies with the Ministry of Labour.”
Hamilton urged businesses to take advantage of the Ministry’s free legal expertise, including services offered by the Chief Labour Officer, a qualified lawyer.
“Stop paying for bad advice. Engage directly with the Ministry. All the guidance you need—on hiring, safety, termination—is available to you without cost.”
Touching on the national labour market, the Minister expressed concern about the widespread misconception that academic qualifications automatically translate to job readiness.
“Qualification does not equal employability,” he declared. “We’ve seen graduates with ten or more CXCs who can’t write a professional email. Real employability comes from ethics, responsibility, and job readiness—not just certificates.”
He called for a cultural shift, encouraging the private sector to value technical training and practical skills just as highly as academic achievement.
Hamilton also spotlighted the Ministry’s free training initiatives, including those facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). Over the past five years, more than 13,000 individuals—60 per cent of them women—have been trained.
The Minister urged greater uptake of apprenticeship programmes and better utilisation of the CRMA’s job bank. He further encouraged the private sector to help shape training curricula to align with evolving demands, such as fibre optic maintenance and solar PV technology.
“We have a vibrant apprenticeship programme. It allows businesses to shape model employees from day one—those who understand the company, culture, and expectations,” he said. “I am not satisfied with the private sector’s current use of this programme. It is an untapped opportunity for growth.”
One of the most powerful moments of the engagement came as Minister Hamilton addressed the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) framework—stressing that mental health is now a recognised and enforceable part of workplace safety standards.
“We’ve had to intervene in cases where employers acted as torturers,” he said bluntly. “Mental health is now a core part of OSH, and we’re working with the Ministry of Health to address it across the workforce.”
In his closing remarks, the Minister called for stronger tripartite collaboration between government, businesses, and the labour force. He emphasised the enduring importance of unions and employee representation, even in non-unionised environments.
“We can’t build a strong labour market without representation,” he asserted. “Even if unions aren’t present, companies must create internal channels for dialogue—employee representation groups, regular meetings—not just when there’s a crisis.”
Several senior labour officials joined the session, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment. Among them were:
Mr Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Chief Labour Officer
Mr Richard Maughn, CEO of the Board of Industrial Training
Ms Yolanda Grant, Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer
Ms Gweneth King, Consultant, Occupational Safety and Health Department
Mr Janaknauth Panchu, Chief Cooperative Development Officer
The session concluded with a pledge of continued partnership and support. The Ministry committed to maintaining open dialogue, increasing its presence at future Chamber events, and working alongside the private sector to build a labour market that is modern, inclusive, and legally robust.
The post ‘Stop paying for bad advice’ – Labour Ministry, GCCI push for compliance with employment laws, skills training appeared first on News Room Guyana.
