IOM Guyana successfully implements workshop on ethical recruitment practices with government and private sector

Georgetown, 8 September 2022 - The International Organization for Migration, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, yesterday completed the Introduction to Ethical Recruitment and the IRIS Standards workshops at the Guyana Marriot Hotel.

The three-workshop series was conducted on 6 to 7 September and brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Labour, private sector employers, and recruitment agencies. Participants had the opportunity to discuss and strengthen their capacities on ethical recruitment practices to support the country’s growing economic prospects, in adherence to human rights standards.

Over two days, the workshops had participation from 30 labour officers, 28 representatives from private sector employers, and 20 representatives from recruitment agencies operating in Guyana.  

In his remarks to participants, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, emphasised the need for companies to comply with national labour laws to guarantee the safety of the labour force. Further, he reiterated government’s commitment to upholding ethical recruitment practices, such as ensuring that recruitment agencies are registered with the Ministry of Labour Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.  

“We must examine the matter, utilising all facets of labour relations,” said Minister Hamilton. “Recruitment agencies are new to Guyana therefore they must be clear on how to recruit someone to work in Guyana.”

In her opening remarks, IOM acting Chief of Mission for Guyana, Eraina Yaw, explained that Guyana’s new economic prospects in the oil and gas sector have impacted the country on multiple levels, including increased demand in the labour market.

“The objective of these workshops,” said Yaw, “will be to strengthen knowledge on ethical recruitment practices and standards for governments, employers, and recruitment agencies to respond in an ethical way to the surge in demand for labour.”

The IOM official added that the organization’s International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS) component is a flagship initiative that was created to promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers through a coalition of partners from government, civil society, and the private sector. According to her, IRIS is a global multi-stakeholder initiative that supports governments, civil society, the private sector, and recruiters to establish ethical recruitment as a norm in cross-border labour migration.

Ms. Yaw concluded that these workshops highlight the essential role that every stakeholder will have in ensuring that Guyana’s national development in the oil and gas industry is done ethically and supports the organised, safe, and regular migration of peoples in and out of the country.

The Introduction to Ethical Recruitment and the IRIS Standard was implemented under the IOM’s Western Hemisphere Program, with funding from the US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migrants.