TIP Unit in continuing campaign against businesses
Guyana Chronicle
February 14, 2007
THE Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit and the Labour Department in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security are on a campaign against businesses exploiting employees in breach of the law.
The exercise began three weeks ago and several targeted workplaces on the East Bank Demerara have been visited for the purpose, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The agency said three cases of child labour were detected and investigations are continuing but the officers are also monitoring employer/employee relationships and the hours of work and similar visits were paid in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) over last weekend.
GINA said oficials of the International Organisation for Migration are due in Guyana shortly to help the TIP Unit identify officers for appointment, which will be done in collaboration with all government ministries, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
GINA said the government has been allocating resources for the fight against TIP, including for setting up an inter-agency national task force, completion of the National Plan of Action and for public awareness and sensitisation.
More than 30 meetings have been held with community representatives, religious, business and other organisations, in all 10 administrative regions and legislation was passed to combat TIP and establish the related unit, GINA said.
The agency noted that Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Nationally Organised Crime and the Supplemental Protocol for the Prevention, Suppression and Punishment of those engaged in TIP.
The government, it said, is also collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in continuing to provide rehabilitation for victims of TIP.