Growing labour demand prompts sensitization workshop with the private sector on labour migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) hosted a workshop on Private Sector Engagement and Labour Migration on Thursday September 1, 2022, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

The workshop brought private sector representatives together to discuss the existing and needed mechanisms to hire foreign nationals (migrants) to work locally, based on the demands of the labour market; present steps on safe and ethical recruitment of migrant workers; increase awareness, identify challenges and explore solutions on migration procedures when hiring migrants to work in Guyana; and raise awareness on national labour policies and regulations on the rights of migrant workers and their families.

In her opening remarks, IOM Regional Director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Michele Klein-Solomon reiterated IOM’s commitment to supporting the Government in ensuring that human mobility occurs in a safe, regular, and orderly manner in Guyana as it becomes a hub for economic growth and investment. To achieve this, migration governance would need to adopt a whole-of-government approach that would contribute to national development goals and benefit its citizens.

“So, our goal as IOM in supporting the government here is to help the government in its development objectives linked not only to the oil and gas industry, but employment in Guyana, the growth of the economic sector, its commitment to aligning its national development plans with the sustainable development goals agreed by all the governments of the world; and now, with the hope of attaining them by 2030,” explained the Regional Director.

PADF Project Director, Jermaine Grant, in his remarks stated that the “workshop is part of PADF’s endeavour of supporting migrants in Guyana journey from a path of vulnerability to self-sustainability with job and livelihood opportunities by engaging private sector stakeholders and businesses on labour migration.” He further stated that “the role of migrants in our local economy is to sustain our national economic thrust and development” and that the private sector “is on the frontlines of labour migration and recruitment of migrant workers and skill demand and the private sector is best aware to identify challenges faced and solutions.”

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton also provided remarks highlighting labour laws that protect all workers in Guyana including migrant workers, notably the Equal Rights Act, and the Prevention of Discrimination Act. In addition, Minister Hamilton stated that Guyana has ratified the Migration for Employment Convention 1949 (No. 97), the Domestic Workers Convention 2011(No.189) and other International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

Ms. Luanna Persaud provided remarks on behalf of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

The workshop continued with participants identifying issues and challenges on labour migration, recruitment, and migration management systems, sharing proposed solutions and good practice; and examination of existing labour framework with recommendations to support the ethical recruitment of migrant workers.

The event concluded with IOM and PADF indicating that the feedback and recommendations provided will inform next steps and support to government on labour migration and other migration needs in partnership with the private sector, to strengthen migration management and governance. This would include support on improved recruitment standards and mechanisms and addressing labour demand in the short, medium, and long term. 

The implementation of the workshop was supported with funding from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM).