On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the Executive Management Committee of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) led by Mr. Kester Hutson, the President of the Chamber, paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Joseph Hamilton, the Minister of Labour. The meeting was an opportunity for both parties to discuss matters relating to the private sector and the labour force in Guyana.

During the meeting, Ms. Kathy Smith, the Secretary of the GCCI, mentioned that the Chamber’s construction committee works closely with the Minister’s office and is in the process of signing an MOU geared at mitigating health, Safety, Security and the Environment (HSSE) risks, prevent accidents and injuries and minimize environmental impacts. She also announced that the Chamber’s Human Resource Committee is looking to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour to inform its 700+ members of the labour laws in Guyana and the importance of operating in a safe working environment.

Mr. Gavin Ramsoondar, the Junior Vice President of the GCCI, added that at the private sector level, businesses should implement policies that encourage safe working environments and develop capacity-building initiatives to better support employees.

Minister Hamilton acknowledged the GCCI’s efforts and commented on the private sector’s responsiveness to the Ministry of Labour. He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the private sector and the government to address the challenges facing the business community and the labor force.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of including women in the workforce, especially in technical fields. He said that it is essential to provide proper frameworks to address the issues associated with apprenticeships, work training, labour laws, HSSE, and a structured labor migration policy in Guyana.

Moreover, the Minister encouraged members of the Chamber to register on the Ministry’s job bank. The job bank is a platform that connects job seekers with employers, and registration can be done via the link (https://jobs.gov.gy/login.php?u=1).

Overall, the meeting between the GCCI and Minister Hamilton was a positive step towards strengthening the existing Relationship. It demonstrates a willingness on both sides to work together to advocate for better working practices and the upscaling of the nation’s human capital.