Latest update April 8th, 2025 6:20 AM
Gov’t moves to address occupational deficiency for workers in informal economy
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the informal economy is seriously lacking, and Government has commenced addressing the deficiency so that social protection can be afforded to thousands of workers outside its safety net.
In his statement on the occasion of observing Occupational Health and Safety Month, Minister of Labour, Keith Scott highlighted the strides made locally towards achieving the development goals set by the United Nations.
Minister Scott noted that he is particularly delighted to repeat that the most recent United Nations Human Development Report (2016) categorized Guyana as a Medium Human Development Country.
He said however, “if we are to be elevated to the coveted status of High Human Development we will have to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal #8 a performance indicator which relates to a reduction in the frequency of fatal and loss time accidents in the workplace”.
Minister Keith Scott
In Government’s 2018 Budget Presentation Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan pointed out that there was a reduction in fatal accidents in the mining sector. By the end of 2017, a further reduction had been experienced.
As a matter of fact, the Minister noted that at the close of the year (2017) the total number of accidents reported declined by 5.3% from 462 to 428 and those which were of a fatal consequence declined by 14% from 21 to 18.
As the Labour Department presses to achieve its goals, the Government has taken steps to bring into effect the prerequisite consultation process for the draft regulations on the safe use of chemicals and forest operations and work on construction and mining.
According to the Minister, consultations for the safe use of chemicals and forest operations have been completed and the work on construction and mining is moving forward.
“These regulations, particularly those pertaining to the safe use of Chemicals, are critical to the positioning of our Republic as a 21st century emerging industrialized society, especially as we evolve into the newest Oil and Gas Industry within this hemisphere.”
Apart from those draft regulations, Minister Scott noted that other initiatives designed to enhance the delivery of the safety function at every level, including the finalization of a draft National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health and the launching of a campaign to promote Occupational Safety and Health in the informal sector/economy.
“It is in the informal economy that young workers are mostly exposed to the failure of employers to provide adequate Occupational Safety and Health.”
“I wish to let it be known that the investigations of all fatal accidents have been completed or are close to being completed, in keeping with our mandate. Further, no matter how long it takes, there shall be no compromise in the investigation of these accidents,” Scott added.
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