Georgetown: Trafficking in Persons (TIP), security in mining communities and other related concerns were center stage at a Social Forum organised by the Mining Week 2013 Organising Committee to allow for policy makers to interact with all stakeholders within the mining sector.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud who has responsibility for the sector, said that dealing with social issues in the mining communities is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
Minister Persaud, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and the Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul delivered remarks and interacted with participants during the forum.
Minister Persaud observed that the challenges related to social issues in the mining sector are not unique to Guyana, but are realities which spring from the development and progress of the sector. He pointed to the work done to develop regulations for the sector, and noted the need for greater sensitisation and awareness of this.
The Ministry has recognised the need to ensure support for all the other agencies so challenges are responded to in a timely manner. The Minister also pointed to the need for tougher enforcement and the Ministry’s zero tolerance for going against what is right. He noted that the social issues should not be seen as a product of the mining areas alone.
Minister Gopaul during his presentation, urged employers to treat each workplace formally, and that they be issued with formal written contracts consistent with labour laws, especially where they are employed in mining locations.
Occupational health and safety and accidents, and how they should be treated were also addressed. He pointed out that there have been no alarming fatalities, but emphasised that there is no accident too small to be reported to the Ministry and failure to do so would mean breaching the law.
He also mentioned TIP which is becoming more discussed in national and international arenas, and pointed out that this issue is everyone’s responsibility. On behaviourial and treatment issues in the mining areas, he said it is important to understand the cultures, morals and norms of people who have lived in the areas for a long time as against those who have lived there traditionally.
Minister Clement Rohee pointed out the challenges of social issues during his presentation, observing that the elements of realism are critical and that development brings challenges. Pointing out that the opening up Guyana’s interior indicates that the country is on the cusp of major development, he said this shows the transformative process of Guyana.
Minister Rohee observed that the movement of people between geographic locations means that they will take along what they have with them, good and bad. This he explained means that people with deviant behaviour patterns will impact on others.
The Home Affairs Minister also pointed out that economic and social factors combine to create domestic violence which is not confined to the coastland, but also exists in the interior. The geographic locations of some of the mining areas pose challenges and services readily accessible on the coastland are not available in the interior. Minister Rohee lamented the fact that this contrast exists in the sector which contributes to national development.
Pointing out that law enforcement plays an integral role to ensure that social issues are contained; the Minister observed that those issues are created by people who have to be controlled. One challenge to be faced is the nomadic movement of people between mining communities. However, he explained that while the Guyana Police Force has a mandate to address deviant behaviour in the interior, the resources to do so are very costly.
On the issue of TIP, he pointed out that while this is not looked upon as a primary issue, there is need to rely on people in the interior to help curb this. Minister Rohee pointed to the need for partnerships between the law enforcement arm and other agencies to create a national effort. He noted that while miners have been working with the GPF, this co-operation could be greatly enhanced.
“We have to be careful and discreet with the type of people we employ, because a lot of the criminal activities occurring both in the interior and the coastland have an element of ‘inside’.persons who take information and transmit it to the criminal elements,” the Minister said.
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