The new Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, is promising to improve existing legislation and introduce new legislation to address the growing employer/employee needs, as the country’s workforce expands.

During an appearance on a Department of Public Information produced programme, Minister Griffith said he plans to work closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to improve the country’s labour laws. He said while much work has already been done, the change in dynamics of the country’s workforce, would require continuous updates to legislation to meet the needs of the local workforce.

“I want to ensure that in this term, the Ministry of Labour has the requisite legal framework to balance and to manage all that is taking place. So, we have to have a strong legal framework to protect the interest of employees but we have to also ensure that it is also balanced to also manage the interests of employers so we ensure that where is there is needs for improvements on both sides, that we can ensure that,” Griffith stated.

As it relates to the Manpower aspect of his Ministry, Griffith said his Ministry will play an integral role in preparing citizens for the workforce, by ensuring that there are training opportunities available for the various sectors.

“The Ministry of Labour plays a vital role in preparing a workforce.  There is now an aspect of the Ministry call manpower planning where a lot of people will more about what we are doing but it is really to prepare a labour force and workface with all that Guyana is experiencing right now the changes—so the Ministry of Labour has been critical in that aspect,” Griffith said.

Among other things, he said his Ministry will spearhead recruitment drives for job seekers, and ensure that there is an active job bank for those in search of employment.

In the coming days, Griffith said he intends to meet with all of his department heads in the regions to outline the government’s vision for the Labour and Manpower Ministry.

The young Attorney is serving as a Technocrat Minister in the Government.  He said he was contacted by the President and offered the job on Saturday afternoon, just an hour before the swearing-in ceremony was set to begin. 

Already, he has started to meet with staffers at the Ministry to get a better understanding of the job and the various departments at the Ministry.

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