The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in partnership with the Ministry of Labour has launched the “Respect Campaign”, which is aimed at fostering a culture of respect within workplaces by promoting better understanding of respectful practices, transparency, diversity, equity and inclusion.

At the launching today, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton said the country cannot speak about development, without addressing the importance of maintaining good labour relations.

He said regardless of the size of a business or company, it is important for the rights of all workers to be respected.

Minister Hamilton also said when in doubt about those rights, representatives of businesses and companies should visit the Ministry of Labour for free consultations.

“I have many instances where companies instead of checking with the Ministry of Labour, they go and pay a lot of money to lawyers and so called ‘HR experts’ who advise them badly, and they end up breaking the law. So, for businesses and business owners, you want to know every and anything about the Labour Laws in Guyana, the Ministry of Labour gives that free service,” Minister Hamilton said.

Citing an example, the Labour Minister explained that workers exceeding eight hours per day on their job, are required to be paid overtime, regardless of whether or not they would have worked 40 hours per week.

“I give you one instance where people were working 12 hours per day and when I intervened, the company said they were told by the HR Consultant that they could do that. What the law says, once a person works after 8 hours a day, you have to pay them overtime, time and a half. And some people say okay, the person must work 40 hours per week, no, that’s not what the law says,” the Labour Minister clarified.

Minister Hamilton also spoke of the importance of equality and equity in the work place, noting that it was time to break the stereotypes in the job industry.

He said women must be provided equal pay and equal opportunity to pursue a career of their choice, underscoring the importance of training and building capacity among the workforce.

Chairman of GCCI’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee, Evie Gurchuran said the campaign is being rolled out by her Committee in partnership with the Membership and Diversity Committee, which is headed by Human Resource Expert, Kerri Gravesande-Bart.

Gurchuran told reporters that the campaign will be rolled out in three phases starting this month, with the dissemination of messages by the GCCI Executives on the importance of respecting human rights, and the rights of workers.

“In January, we plan to have a forum along with the Ministry of Labour where we will push educating small businesses and any business that want to participate on what the Labour Laws are, what best practices are in terms, and how can we apply a different lens on the way we do business. Understand that our employees are stakeholders, understand that they are an integral part of our business success,” Gurchuran explained.

In the final phase, the Chamber will challenge employees to take a pledge of respect towards their colleagues. It will also conduct monitoring and evaluations.

Founder and Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson was among officials present for the launch of the “Respect Campaign”.

SASOD is one of the GCCI’s partners on the campaign.

Related posts:

Labour Minister boasts that workers are now better represented under current Government Workplaces cannot force employees to get vaccinated – Labour Minister Labour Ministry increases number of Occupational Health and Safety Officers in its employ GTUC pleased with return of dedicated Ministry of Labour