Private security sector continues to top labour complaints, ministry urges reform

The private security sector continues to be the leading source of labour-related complaints in Guyana, accounting for 25 per cent of all grievances filed with the Ministry of Labour.

This concerning statistic was a key focus during a pivotal seminar hosted by the ministry on Wednesday, aimed at fostering greater awareness of labour legislation and addressing ongoing issues in the industry.

Held in the ministry’s boardroom, the session brought together stakeholders from the private security industry as part of the ministry’s continued efforts to promote decent work and improve industrial relations.

Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and expressing appreciation for their attendance. “We are very pleased with your response. This session is not just about compliance—it’s about partnership and open dialogue,” he stated.

Deonarine called on attendees to make full use of the platform, encouraging open discussion and clarity on labour issues. “We want this session to be interactive. It’s not just about us (Ministry of Labour) speaking to you, but us hearing from you as well,” he added.

The ministry has hosted similar seminars across the country since 2021, with over 1,400 businesses participating. These efforts have led to a 25 per cent reduction in labour complaints overall in 2024 compared to 2023. Despite this progress, the security sector has only seen a marginal one per cent decline in complaints.

“This is why this engagement is so important. The security sector continues to generate a disproportionate number of complaints. Our goal is to work with you, not against you, to ensure better outcomes for both employers and employees,” Deonarine stated.

He further advised companies to better utilise their Human Resource departments to resolve internal matters and warned that persistent non-compliance could result in referrals to oversight agencies such as the Ministry of Finance or the National Tender Board.

“Let me be clear—we do not want to antagonise anyone. We want to collaborate. When workers understand their rights, and employers understand their responsibilities, the result is a more productive and fair workplace,” he concluded.

The seminar is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Labour to enhance compliance, promote fair labour practices, and reduce conflict between employers and employees across high-complaint sectors.