The tribulations of a registered barbershop

Jun 01, 2016 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Opening a barbershop is not as straightforward as one might think. It is a regulated business and the regulations governing the operations of barbershops in Guyana impose a great deal of requirements on tonsorial artists.

If you have the skill to cut hair, it does not mean that you can simply begin to cut other people’s hair for a few dollars.  There are requirements.
You first must have a place to cut the hair. Most barbers have to rent somewhere. This costs money. Rentals are very expensive, not because landlords and landladies are greedy. They are expensive because the decision to rent carries a high risk. Many people do not pay their rent or pay it on time, with the result that landlords often lose out.
Then the electricity meter has to be transferred in your name. This takes time, and time is money lost. Quick service is not one of the known traits of the Guyana Power and Light.
The barbershop has to be inspected and certified by the public health authorities. This is where the delays can extend for a long period.
Then the barber, believe it or not, has to go for a medical examination. Yes, the barber has to undergo a medical test to ensure he does not have certain diseases, including tuberculosis. In fact, every year, before the barber’s licence is renewed he has to take this test. This costs money also.
Then the barber has to take out a permit at the Guyana Revenue Authority. They too will ask for documents, including tenancy agreements.
The barbershop is likely to be examined at any time by the public health authorities. It can be closed down for insanitary and unhygienic conditions.
This is why some barbers are charging as much as $1000 to cut your hair. There are expenses to be paid and there are tests to be passed and licences to be paid. There are other things which have to be done just to get the shop going which cannot be mentioned here.
Given all the things which barbers have to do just to establish and keep their businesses going, it was surprising to learn that some the unregistered barbers who were operating near to Stabroek Square have been relocated to the Merriman Mall.
Are these relocated barbers registered? Did they undergo a medical examination to see whether they are healthy enough to cut people’s hair? Have their new locations been certified by the relevant authorities? Have they been registered by the Guyana Revenue Authority? Do they pay income tax?
The issue of ensuring a level playing field is not likely to go away, unless the authorities take steps to ensure fairness. Registered barbershops are required to meet the regulations, but those who used to cut hair on the pavements were allowed to go free not just of any law, but public health laws. The health of this nation was placed at risk because unregistered barbershops were operating outside of the law.
Some of these shops were operating on the pavements where people had to walk, and where there was the risk of follicles from the cut hair flying all around and getting into your ice cream cone, etc.  This is what was allowed to happen, because those who were supposed to do their jobs either were not doing it properly or did not know about these illegal shops. The reader will decide which was which.
No unregistered barbershop should be allowed to operate. No barbershop should be allowed to operate unless the full requirements under the regulations governing such shops are met.
There must be a level playing field. Those who are paying minimal rentals for stalls and are unregistered should at the minimum be subject to inspection and certification by the public health authorities. They must  operate in an enclosed environment and must, like all registered barbershops, have certain conveniences in place for customers.

1 thoughts on “The tribulations of a registered barbershop”

galfromna June 1, 2016 at 10:07 am

Man everyday I am beginning to agree more and more with you. All barbers should be registered and should be in an enclosed building.