Labour Ministry advances skills, jobs and worker protections
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has expanded access to skills training, strengthened employment services, and advanced reforms to protect Guyanese workers as the country’s economy and labour force continue to grow.
Among the ministry’s major achievements is the review of Guyana’s labour laws, a process Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith described as particularly significant given the changes taking place in the economy.
With investments increasing and new sectors emerging, Minister Griffith said the review is intended to ensure that Guyana’s legislative framework keeps pace with the realities of a modern workforce.
Consultations with stakeholders are already underway, with the minister emphasising that workers, employers and other stakeholders must have an opportunity to contribute to the process.
The ministry has also intensified its focus on occupational health and safety, including through a new collaboration with the International Labour Organisation to review Guyana’s national occupational health and safety policy, programme and system.
The review comes as the country’s economic expansion has resulted in the emergence of additional high-risk sectors.
Minister Griffith noted that while Guyana was the first Caribbean country to introduce occupational health and safety legislation, the growth and diversification of the economy have created circumstances that were not contemplated when the existing legislation was developed.
Initial work has therefore begun on reviewing the occupational health and safety legislation, alongside efforts to introduce and strengthen regulations for several sectors.
Over the past year, the ministry has also rolled out safety awareness initiatives, particularly in construction, where educational symposiums have been conducted across the regions to engage contractors and builders.
The ministry has surpassed its inspection target for the year by 50 per cent, while continuing its national campaign to promote greater awareness and compliance with workplace safety standards.
Skills development has remained another major pillar of the ministry’s work.
Through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), training opportunities have been expanded across the country, including new programmes in Regions Seven and Eight, while existing programmes continue throughout the administrative regions.
The board has also expanded its training locations, including new programmes in Corentyne and continued operations at its New Amsterdam and Unity Training Centre facilities.
Thousands of Guyanese have benefited from training and upskilling opportunities in areas such as heavy-duty machinery operation, electrical installation, plumbing, auto electrical and other technical disciplines.
The programmes have also attracted increasing numbers of women into fields traditionally dominated by men.
The ministry has moved beyond simply providing certificates, with efforts now focused on helping trainees translate their skills into employment, entrepreneurship and business development.
Beneficiaries are being guided on matters such as business registration, TIN and NIS compliance, as well as accessing private-sector networks and mentorship.
The ministry has also deepened collaboration with the private sector, particularly companies operating within the oil and gas sector. This has included support for training programmes and equipment, as well as work towards establishing scaffolding training in response to occupational safety concerns in the construction industry.
Another area of focus has been ensuring that Guyanese workers can compete for opportunities in emerging sectors.
The labour minister highlighted the Guyana Technical Training Institute at Port Morant as part of the investment in specialised local training, allowing Guyanese to access programmes locally that previously required overseas training.
The ministry is also strengthening mechanisms to protect Guyanese working offshore, with labour and occupational health and safety officers trained to conduct inspections offshore. The ongoing review of the legislative framework is expected to further address the rights and protections of Guyanese employed in these areas.
Employment placement has also featured prominently in the ministry’s first year.
Through the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, more than 600 people have been placed into active employment in 2026, according to the minister.
The agency also hosted a two-day job fair during Labour Week in April, attracting thousands of jobseekers and employers. The minister said more than 150 people secured active employment through participating employers.
The ministry’s work comes against the backdrop of significant employment growth nationally. According to figures cited by the minister, more than 100,000 jobs were created by the end of 2025, exceeding the 50,000-job target announced when the government assumed office in 2020.
The minister linked the growth in employment and reduction in unemployment, in part, to investments in skills development, including the $2.5 billion allocated for skills development in the 2026 Budget.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning is positioning its programmes around the changing needs of Guyana’s workforce, strengthening the legal framework, expanding training opportunities, improving access to employment and reinforcing protections for workers.
For Minister Keoma Griffith, the overarching objective is to ensure that Guyanese are equipped to participate in and benefit from the opportunities emerging in the country’s expanding economy.
“We don’t just leave you on your own with a skill. We guide you; we provide that kind of counsel to you so that you can be much closer to achieving your dreams,” the minister said.
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