Latest update June 1st, 2026 12:37 AM
No longer will foreigners be given preferential treatment for jobs in Guyana – Felix
Citing the Marriott Hotel, which was built without any Guyanese labour, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix yesterday told the National Assembly that things are about to change.
In this regard, Felix said that no longer will Guyanese be denied employment while the opportunities are handed to foreigners on a platter.
Felix disclosed that his government will clampdown on the number of work permits given to foreigners for jobs that Guyanese are capable of doing.
He said “Contrary to our friends (opposition parliamentarians), we are not averse to visitors or to having investors, what we are saying is that Guyanese must have an equal play.”
The Minister provided statistics to show that in 2012, work permits totaling 1,050 were granted of which 991 were for Brazilians and 24 for Chinese. While in 2013, 462 Brazilians were given work permits. Further, out of 744 work permits granted in 2014, Brazilians got 694. For this year 236 of the 304 were Brazilians who received work permits.
As he was giving these stats, Felix was accused by opposition members of discrimination.
However, he proceeded to noted that applications for work permits for cooks and labourers are being made, although Guyanese are available to fill those vacancies.
“We don’t want a lopsided situation where our own people do not have access to our lands to do what other people are doing,” the Minister asserted.
Felix said the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, which is part of the Ministry of the Presidency, was established to ensure that the interests of Guyanese are protected and preserved and “that our borders are not violated by those who are intent on perpetrating criminal activities.
He stressed that the new administration supports foreign investment, but not at the expense of Guyanese.
“We want the inflow of foreign money, but we also want our people to benefit from the inflows.” (Abena Rockcliffe)
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