‘Employees want more than a paycheck’ – Labour Minister urges employers to improve workplace conditions

Amid Guyana’s evolving labour market, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith has urged employers to look beyond wages and prioritise fair treatment, safe working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement to meet workers’ changing expectations.

He made the call during a ‘Conditions of Work Labour Seminar’ with representatives of the oil and gas sector on Tuesday. The event forms part of an ongoing exercise to raise awareness among employers about responsibilities and obligations under the country’s labour laws.
Griffith acknowledged that the local labour market is rapidly changing, not only by opening of new industries and the emergence of highly-specialised roles, but also by the expectations of workers.

“Workers’ expectations are rising too. Today’s workers want more than a paycheck. They want safety, they want fairness, they want clear contracts and opportunities to advance…the employees are calling for than just a paycheck. They are calling for conditions that allow them where they feel valued…they want to know that if something goes wrong, there are rules, there are regulations, there are institutions that protect them,” the Labour Minister posited.

Speaking specifically about the oil and gas sector, Griffith highlighted how the industry supports a large number of subsectors including catering, security, construction, engineering, and logistics. In this regard, he emphasised the importance of the workers making these sectors a success being treated fairly, with opportunities to grow.

“The hands of this sector are very, very wide and diverse…behind every aspect of the development that I have been speaking about are Guyanese technicians, engineers, welders, drivers, cooks, administrators, safety officers and managers who do this work. Some of them live offshore on rotation, some work at shore bases and fabrication yards, others work in offices across Georgetown and all over Guyana. When we speak of the success of this sector, we are speaking of the skills, efforts and sacrifices of these men and women. The wealth from this sector must translate into a better life for these men and women. That is why we are having this Conditions of Work Seminar here today,” the minister outlined.

Further reflecting on the changing dynamics of the labour force where workers now require continuous training and certification, to work on rotational schedules, offshore assignments, and alongside foreign nationals, the Labour Minister underscored the importance of employers clearly understanding how the labour laws work.

“Where understanding is limited, we see disputes over contracts and termination, confusion about overtime and leave, and most seriously, risks to health and safety. Our experience shows that many workplace problems arise not from bad intentions but from a lack of clear knowledge of what the law requires,” he noted, adding that this gap can be easily fixed through continuous dialogue.