Migrant Labour laws, human rights protections priority at Labour Ministry – Griffith

As Guyana builds its human resource capacity, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith on Wednesday said stronger laws and ethical recruitment are a priority to safeguard against labour issues.

Griffith was at the time addressing attendees at the Diaspora Stakeholder’s Forum at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. He said migrant workers are not a threat to local human resource capacity.

“Guyana has become a destination for migrant workers, particularly from China, India, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and regional neighbours but I wish to make one thing clear, migrants are not a threat – they are our partners in development,” the minister said.

According to the minister, the recruitment of these workers must be safe, orderly, ethical, regulated and grounded in human rights.

“Informal recruitment agencies have proliferated increasing the risks of exploitation and human trafficking, in response this government remains committed in enforcing ethical recruitment standards,” he said.

He said human trafficking, particularly in women and children through labour migration cannot become a channel for exploitation. He said legislative and institutional measures are being strengthened better supervise recruitment.

Guyana’s growing dependence on migrant labour is a priority for the ministry and Griffith said in 2026, the ministry intends to progress its work in developing a migration policy.

“As outlined in Budget 2026, the development of a migration policy will allow for the recruitment of foreign workers to meet the needs of our country’s rapidly growing economy without compromising the rights and interests of Guyanese,” Griffith said.

He noted that Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy is placing significant pressure on the labour market, with industries facing shortages of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

He said the Board of Industrial Training is tasked with equipping workers with the relevant skills needed.