Guyana and Turk and Caicos may soon find themselves collaborating to enhance Guyana’s construction sector among others, following a meeting today with the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton and the Minister of Immigration and Border Services of Turks and Caicos Islands, Arlington Musgrove.
While the discussions centered on various avenues to enhance cooperation between Guyana and Turks and Caicos Islands, a key focus was the construction sector. Guyana’s Labour Minister Hamilton mentioned the Ministry’s notable achievements and objectives, which include plans to train over 11,000 individuals across Guyana within three years.
The construction sector in Turks and Caicos was reported to have experienced notable growth in recent years. Construction workers in the islands are involved in a variety of projects, ranging from residential and commercial developments to infrastructure projects such as roads and utilities.
Given that the country is a tourist destination, the increased demand for new hotels, resorts, and residential properties, driven by the growing tourism sector and population, has propelled this growth.
Safety regulations and standards are also reported as rigorously enforced to ensure the well-being of workers, with a growing emphasis on environmentally sustainable construction practices. Additionally, training and apprenticeship programs are available to help locals gain skills and employment opportunities within the construction industry, contributing to the overall development of the workforce in Turks and Caicos.
On that note, Hamilton shared the comprehensive approach of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) department of the Ministry in promoting safe and healthy workplace environments across the country.
Also discussed was the government of Guyana’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and combating child labor and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency’s (CRMA) services that facilitate job seekers in securing employment opportunities.
Minister Musgrove commended Minister Hamilton and his team for their remarkable achievements in office. He expressed admiration for the strides made by Guyana’s Labour Ministry, emphasizing the potential for similar success through bilateral collaboration with Turks and Caicos Islands.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore further collaboration avenues to bolster workforce development, ensuring mutual prosperity and progress for both territories.
Minister Hamilton was supported by a delegation comprising Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine; Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Consultant, Gweneth King; Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer, Yolanda Grant; and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn.
