Gov’t finalising updated harassment laws, workplace protection seal – Dr Persaud

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to strengthen legal protections against harassment while expanding workplace safeguards through a new accountability initiative, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud said.

Speaking at a Sexual Assault Awareness Month symposium recently, Dr Persaud outlined ongoing reforms to Guyana’s legal framework, noting that existing laws have already been modernised over time.

On the harassment legislation, Dr Persaud said a draft bill remains under consultation after two years of stakeholder input and is now nearing completion.

“We have taken everyone’s perspective into account and will come up with a final draft,” she said, explaining that the bill will then follow the usual legislative process.

But she stressed that action is already being taken beyond the draft stage, particularly in workplaces where harassment often goes unreported or unaddressed.

“We are rolling out a gender equality and empowerment seal because harassment happens everywhere,” Dr Persaud said, adding that the initiative is designed to tackle a broad range of harassment issues across different environments.

She said the programme is already being implemented in about 20 private sector companies, where employers are being trained and supported to adopt structured anti-harassment systems, including monitoring mechanisms and reporting frameworks aimed at holding perpetrators accountable.

A similar rollout, she added, is planned for the public service in partnership with Government ministries.

Dr Persaud emphasised that the goal is to strengthen awareness, reporting, and resolution processes in the workplace.

“Ensuring that there is education and awareness, recourse in the workplace and the ability to have a conclusion to whatever happens in the workplace,” she said.

She added that the measures are necessary to ensure workers feel protected and confident that their rights against harassment are being taken seriously.