Guyana - Working hours - finally a sensible article in Chronicle

More working hours required in commercial sector- Labour Minister
-to keep up with global competition

MINISTER of Labour Manzoor Nadir has announced that Cabinet has given the go ahead to review the working hours and the operations of workers in certain industries so as to allow for more productivity in keeping up with global competition.

Minister Nadir noted that the working hours of local industries, including businesses in the tourism industry, will be reviewed by his Ministry. Speaking on the National Communications Network’s programme ‘Close Up’, Minister Nadir said, “If we are going to be a globally competitive country in terms of goods and services, we have to allow 24-hour operations of some businesses; for example, call centres cannot shut down… Some factories cannot only operate eight hour shifts; that is only one-third capacity… If a factory is going to work we have to ensure we work for 24 hours.”

The Minister assured that even though the working hours of the commercial sector will be expanded, the Ministry will address ‘worker burn out’ and exploitation. In light of productivity, production and global competition, the reforming of laws to address working hours and operations of workers in certain industries will be confronted, in full consultation with the Tripartie Committee, Minister Nadir said.

The Labour Ministry intends to bring legislation on this matter to the National Assembly during this year. Only on January 8, at the first sitting of the National Assembly for 2009, the Ministry’s Trade Union Recognition (Amendment) Bill 25/2008 was passed. The Bill seeks to ensure that the ‘real voice’ of the workers is heard.

The new amendment to the bill will strengthen the laws with respect to representing workers in Guyana.

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