Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes the Memorandum of Agreement between the Woodlands Hospital and the Guyana Labour Union, and the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between Prasad's Hospital and the Clerical and Commercial Workers' Union. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to send a detailed report on the points the Committee had raised in its former direct requests:

Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The information supplied in the Government's reports so far has concerned only the public sector. Please supply information, including any available statistics, on the number and conditions of nursing personnel employed in the private sector, to which the Convention also applies. The Committee noted that neither the Private Hospital Act, 1972, nor the Regulations made under it, contain any provisions on the conditions of work of nursing personnel.

Article 1, paragraph 3. Please indicate what provisions are applicable to voluntary nursing personnel, and in particular whether any special rules have been adopted concerning them, as provided for in this paragraph. The Committee recalled that the Government stated in an earlier report that they were not covered by the Nursing Code of Conduct, but that it has provided no further information.

Article 2, paragraph 1. Please furnish information on the measures taken within the framework of the national policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel to provide the quantity and quality of nursing care necessary for attaining the highest possible level of health for the population. Please indicate the results of these measures and the progress achieved, especially in increasing the number of nursing personnel and improving the quality of nursing services.

Article 2, paragraph 2(b), and Article 5, paragraph 2. Please supply copies of statutory provisions and collective agreements applicable to nursing personnel in the public and private sectors in respect of their employment and working conditions, including career prospects and remuneration. Please indicate any other measures that have been taken to attract persons to the profession and retain them in it.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. With reference to the information supplied by the Government in its first report, the Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the consultation in respect of the policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel and on the coordination of this policy with policies relating to other aspects of health care and to other workers in the field of health. Please describe the manner in which such coordination and consultation take place with employers' and workers' organizations in the private sector.

Article 3. Please supply a text of the statutory provisions prescribing the basic requirements regarding education and training of nursing personnel, and how this education and training is supervised. The Committee recalled that the Government stated in its first report that these requirements are laid down by the Ministry of Health and Public Welfare. Please indicate how nursing education and training are coordinated with the education and training of other workers in the field of health.

Article 4. According to the first report, the only requirement prescribed for the practice of nursing is registration as a nurse with the General Nursing Council. In this connection, the Committee requested the Government to specify the conditions required for registration as a nurse.

Article 5, paragraph 1. The Committee noted from the Government's reports that the participation of nursing personnel in the planning of nursing services and consultation with such personnel on decisions concerning them are ensured by regular dialogue and discussion between the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Public Service Unions, and the Nurses' Association. This seems to apply to nursing personnel in the public sector. The Committee would therefore appreciate receiving information on the participation in planning of nursing personnel in the private sector.

Article 5, paragraph 3. According to the report, the settlement of disputes is sought through a grievance procedure. The Committee therefore requested the Government to describe the procedure used for the settlement of collective disputes for nursing personnel, and whether this procedure is applicable to nursing personnel both in the public and private sectors.

Article 6. According to the first report, the conditions of work of nursing personnel in respect of hours of work (paragraph (a)), weekly rest (paragraph (b)), and paid annual holidays (paragraph (c)) are determined in the Collective Labour Agreement. The Committee therefore requests the Government to supply a copy of the current Agreement. Please also indicate how conditions are fixed for educational leave (paragraph (d)), maternity leave (paragraph (e)), sick leave (paragraph (f)) and social security (paragraph (g)). Please also supply relevant collective agreements relating to nursing personnel in the private sector in respect of conditions set out in this Article.

Article 7. The Committee noted the information supplied by the Government in respect of cooperation between the Occupational Health and Safety section of the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health. Please indicate whether any special measures have been taken or are envisaged to improve laws and regulations on other aspects of occupational health and safety by adapting them to the special nature of nursing work, inter alia, to protect nursing personnel against occupational exposure to the AIDS virus.

Point V of the report form. Please supply the information requested under this point of the report form regarding the manner in which effect is given to the Convention in practice.