Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Home Affairs Ministry denies delaying work permits for Brazilians
The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday denied that it is responsible for the delays in the processing of work permit applications by Brazilian nationals wanting to take up jobs in Guyana.
Antonio Szala (right), in the company of two colleagues, addressing media operatives earlier this month.
In a paid advertisement, the Ministry said that it “categorically denies that there are any delays in the issuance of work permits to any foreign national.”
The advertisement went on to state that the Home Affairs Ministry has no relationship with the Brazilian Mining and General Association.
It was the Association that called a press conference earlier this month to highlight some “worrying” issues facing Brazilians living in Guyana.
It was made known that over 100 Brazilian nationals have been converging on available hotel rooms across the country, anxiously awaiting permission from the Guyana Government to begin working here.
In an invited comment, Secretary of the body, Antonio Szala said that the Brazilian Mining and General Association is a registered body which has been lobbying for the fair treatments of Brazilians living in Guyana.
He said that over 100 work permits are yet to be authorized by the Home Affairs Ministry, even though they have been approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since January last.
Szala had said that as a result of their long wait, many of the Brazilians have run short on finance, and are being assisted by the Association, mostly in the area of getting accommodation.
“They came here to work and they have families to maintain just like Guyanese,” Szala said.
He said that the Brazilians would often visit the Ministry to get the status of their permits, but are usually given telephone numbers and asked to call other persons.
“This isn’t how it should be. These people should know what they are up to.”
The members of the Association believe that there needs to be effective communications between Guyanese officials and Brazilians, as poor translation usually leaves the Brazilians unsure of what their next move should be.
Szala is of the opinion that the natives of the neighbouring country are being “exploited” in Guyana. He told reporters that this is especially prevalent in the areas of Parika and Bartica, where ranks demand large sums of money as fees from Brazilian nationals to pass through the areas in order to arrive in Georgetown.
Additionally, the Secretary of the Association explained that in order to qualify to apply for a work permit in Guyana, Brazilians have to be sponsored by persons who are licenced to operate in the mining industry here.
Szala said that more often than not, the sponsors would usually demand hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Brazilians, as an exchange for their supporting signatures.
To this end, he called on the relevant authorities to consider putting in place a system where the Brazilians can work directly with the Ministry of Home Affairs, instead of having to go through sponsors who usually rip them off.
Meanwhile, Szala said that as a result of the current delays in the work permits, the dozens of Brazilians waiting in Guyana are becoming extremely frustrated.
“They want to get the legal documents. The Brazilians do not want to come to Guyana and work illegally, they want to do it the right way, so that they don’t have to go hiding in the bush and running from the police and so,” Szala stated.
Asked about assistance from the Brazilian Embassy, Szala said that there seems to be a detachment with the Embassy in Guyana. He noted that representatives have been invited for dialogue but never show up.
Szala claimed that he is in receipt of a legal document highlighting a number of agreements between Guyana and Brazil, and that there have been many glaring breaches. He advocated that Brazilians usually contribute a great deal to the local economy, as their spending is “three times higher than Guyanese.”
Essentially, Szala said that the aim of the Brazilian Mining and General Association is to support Brazilians and help them to benefit from proper systems where they can peacefully live and work in Guyana, free to go home whenever they wish.
Kaieteur News was told that following the press conference, the Association continues to be victimized. However, Szala noted that the body is a legal one, which will continue to carry out its mandate of ensuring Brazilians are not taken advantage of.
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