Gov’t taking a long time on minimum wage of this vulnerable class

Please allow me the opportunity to highlight an observation I made pertaining to the proposed increase of the National Minimum Wage. Please refer to Stabroek News’ article dated May 04, 2022 captioned `Proposed $60,000 minimum wage still being mulled by Cabinet.’ This was a statement made by the Honourable Minister of Labour . He was quoted as saying that this proposal was actively engaging the attention of Cabinet. A few days ago Stabroek News article dated June 05, 2022 quoted his Excellency President Ali as saying that the subject Minister has been consulting on the issue and is yet to table a full paper for discussion at Cabinet. Notice the timeline. This important issue concerning the poorest class of workers in the country has been outstanding for so long that I am surprised that the Government has not paid more attention to it considering how they are treating some of the other vulnerable groups. Before the Ministry of Labour consults with the Private Sector it should equip itself with data why this poor group of workers are taken advantage of because of the following :• No Salary Slips.

• No Annual Leave.

• No Lunch Hour.

• Inaccurate Overtime payments.

• No NIS.

How much money these employers are saving because of the above. They should be confronted on this since these are not optional but the rights of these workers according to the Laws of Guyana mandated by this very Ministry. I am eagerly awaiting the final decision on this matter with the hope that it will include an improvement of the working conditions of these workers since the President emphasized that recommendations should be holistic. It is so obvious that these workers namely the staff of the Regent Street Stores and Supermarkets, Security Guards etc are very vulnerable and it would be fitting if the Government would consider offering them a one-off Cash Grant.