Showing some fight

Jun 23, 2026 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – For perhaps the first time in a long while, the Government of Guyana appears to be publicly and firmly standing up for the interests of ordinary Guyanese working in the oil and gas industry. It is a welcome intervention, but one that must be followed by action.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat’s declaration last week that Guyanese oil workers deserve salaries comparable to their expatriate counterparts if they possess similar qualifications, certifications, training and experience is long overdue.

As reported by Kaieteur News, the minister stated: “It is the right time, five years after, for us to start advocating more strongly for this to ensure the Guyanese that are employed with comparable qualification, comparable training, comparable certification, and also now experience that they too can have a comparable remuneration to expat workers with similar background.”

On this issue, the government is absolutely correct.

Five years after first oil, Guyana can no longer accept a two-tier system where foreigners automatically command premium salaries while qualified Guyanese remain underpaid. The argument that locals lacked experience may have been valid in the early years of the industry. It is no longer valid today.

Thousands of Guyanese have worked offshore, at shore bases and in supporting industries. Many have earned internationally recognised certifications, undergone specialised training and accumulated between five and eight years of practical experience. They have proven themselves capable and reliable.

There is simply no justification for paying Guyanese significantly less for doing substantially similar work.

But Guyanese have heard promises before.

The government cannot stop at speeches delivered at ceremonies. It cannot merely “advocate” for better pay. It must demand it.

There must now be clear policies, measurable targets and strong enforcement mechanisms that compel oil companies and contractors to eliminate unjustified wage disparities. If companies are benefiting from Guyana’s resources and making billions of dollars in profits, then they must invest fairly in Guyana’s human resources as well.

The oil sector cannot become another example of foreign enrichment built on local sacrifice.

At the same time, this matter reminds us why this country must remain constantly vigilant over every aspect of the petroleum sector.

The struggle for fair salaries is merely one piece of a much larger picture.

For years, citizens, civil society groups and independent voices have repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of oil contracts, cost recovery claims, local content obligations and labour practices. That vigilance must never diminish. Oil companies are sophisticated global corporations with enormous resources and considerable leverage. Governments everywhere must actively protect the interests of their citizens.

Guyana should be no exception.

This country must now become bolder in its demands.

The government must insist on stronger technology transfers, more opportunities for Guyanese engineers and managers, increased procurement from local businesses and greater investment in skills development. Guyanese should not remain confined to entry and mid-level positions indefinitely while senior technical and executive positions remain dominated by foreigners.

There must be deliberate pathways for Guyanese to climb the ladder.

Minister Bharrat himself acknowledged meeting young Guyanese engineers in Singapore who will return to work offshore. That is encouraging. But those engineers should not spend the next decade watching expatriates occupy leadership positions that qualified Guyanese can perform themselves.

Oil wealth must translate into local empowerment.

The government must also ensure companies publish transparent salary structures for comparable positions. Transparency will discourage discrimination and expose unjustifiable pay gaps. Workers should not have to depend on rumours and private conversations to discover they are being underpaid.

The reality is simple. Guyana’s oil belongs to Guyanese. The opportunities generated by that oil must also belong to Guyanese.

This newspaper has consistently maintained that the nation must remain watchful over every development in the sector. Eternal vigilance is the price Guyana must pay to ensure its resources genuinely benefit its people.

Today it is salaries. Tomorrow it may be training, procurement, environmental protection or revenue management.

The pressure cannot stop.

The government deserves recognition for finally speaking up on behalf of local workers. But words alone will not transform lives. Guyanese workers will judge this initiative not by speeches, but by their paycheques.

The administration now has an opportunity to prove that it is serious about defending Guyanese interests.

For once, it appears to be standing up for its people. The challenge now is to show that this is not another temporary slogan, but the beginning of a more aggressive and uncompromising approach towards the oil companies operating in Guyana.

After all, if this country cannot demand fairness for its own citizens from its own resources, then who will?

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• Editorial, fight, oil and gas industry

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