Georgetown: Chinese Nationals through the Head of the Chinese Association, Shilong Chow was Thursday handed over a translated version of the Guyana Labour Laws to the Chinese community.
This was done at the Chinese Association on Brickdam. Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul presented the document to the Head of the Chinese Association, Shilong Chow.
Gopaul noted that the Ministry’s aim in doing so is to decrease the number of complaints involving Chinese employees who seem to not be fully aware of the Labour Laws due to the language barrier.
He said that he hopes that the Chinese nationals would learn and observe these laws. He said that the Chinese must know that their employees are to be paid overtime if made to work beyond the prescribed amount of hours.
The Minister made clear that all employees are entitled to a daily lunch break, one day off every week, and a total 12 days of annual leave. Failure to upkeep these laws by employers will result in them being prosecuted.
Adding that during the last year, the prosecution of a number employers resulted in workers receiving nearly $ 29M in wages and benefits, the Minister explained that the Government will be working to establish a “National minimum wage” so as to ensure that persons are not being underpaid for their labour.
