Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Guyana

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) (Ratification: 1966)
Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) (Ratification: 1971)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on labour inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection), and 129 (labour inspection in agriculture) together.

Articles 6 and 10 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 8 and 14 of Convention No. 129. Status and conditions of service of labour inspectors and number of labour inspectors. In response to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that currently the Labour and OSH Departments have 31 positions for inspectors/officers, with no new recruitments or promotions since 2022. The Government indicates that labour officers, as public servants, may be appointed as either pensionable or non-pensionable/contract employees, with benefits varying based on these categories: pensionable employees are appointed through the Public Service Commission (PSC) and are entitled to a pension upon retirement, while non-pensionable employees, appointed through the Public Service Ministry, receive gratuity payments at regular intervals over their contract period, which typically lasts between one and three years. The Government informs that labour officers, regardless of their appointment type, are placed on the G7 salary scale, which in 2023 ranged from a minimum of 127,963 Guyanese dollars (approximately US$612) to a maximum of 178,175 Guyanese dollars (approximately US$852). The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) inspectors and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax inspectors are appointed directly by their respective agencies, rather than through the Public Service Ministry or the PSC and, as a result, their benefits may differ, depending on the salary scales set by their respective boards. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures in order to ensure a sufficient number of labour inspectors to secure the effective discharge of the duties of the inspectorate and to ensure that the conditions of service of labour inspectors are such that they are assured of stability of employment and are independent of changes of government and of improper external influences. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the total number of labour inspectors, including details on any new recruitment and promotions of incumbent staff. The Committee further requests the Government to specify the number of officers currently assigned to the Labour Department and to the OSH Department, along with the number of existing vacancies in each department. It also requests the Government to provide more details on the salary scale and career stability of labour inspectors, specifically identifying the number of inspectors hired through the PSC and those hired through the Public Service Ministry. Finally, the Committee also requests the Government to provide a comparison between the employment conditions of labour inspectors and those of other similar categories of public officials appointed through the Public Service Ministry or the PSC.

Articles 20 and 21 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 25, 26 and 27 of Convention No. 129. Annual labour inspection reports. In response to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it will make efforts to ensure that all future labour inspection reports are compiled and published. The Government also indicates that labour inspection reports are produced annually and circulated internally by the Labour Department as a tool for monitoring and evaluating progress, which in turn informs policy and decision-making. The Government reports that from 2022 onward, the Ministry of Labour conducted more than 9,000 labour inspections. The Committee once again requests the Government to pursue its effort to ensure that the labour inspection report is compiled and published in accordance with Article 20 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 25 and 26 of Convention No. 129 and that such report contains information on all the subjects listed in Article 21 of Convention No. 81 and Article 27 of Convention No. 129.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.