Bettering the lives of many Guyanese in 2011
A GINA feature
THERE were remarkable developments in all the departments of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in 2011. Several of the ministry’s initiatives blossomed such as the Women of Worth (WOW) Programme, the Family Court was completed, the Night Shelter expanded and construction progressed on the Homeless Shelter at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.
The lives of senior citizens and other vulnerable groups including children and women were bettered. The labour sector monitored workplaces, increased training and undertook outreaches to several parts of the country.
The Ministry , which was for most of 2011 under Ministers Priya Manickchand and Manzoor Nadir got two new Ministers following the recent General and Regional Election: Ms. Jennifer Webster with portfolio for Human Services and Social Security, and Dr Nanda Gopaul responsible for Labour.
OLD AGE PENSION AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Government’s commitment to alleviate poverty was furthered as pensioners received an increase of 14%, affording about 44,000 pensioners a $7,500 monthly grant in addition to a water bill waiver of $8,000 each. The Ministry made it easier for pensioners to receive their pension books by taking the distribution to areas close to their homes.
SHELTERS
The Night Shelter at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence was expanded to accommodate more residents with the aim of reintegrating them into society. The Shelter was initially established to provide sleeping accommodation for the homeless, but was transformed into a safe haven for more than 200 homeless persons, on a 24-hour basis, providing three meals, and medical and rehabilitation services.
Meanwhile, construction began on a 300-bed residential centre for rehabilitation and reintegration at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice ,as well in 2011, that will take care of the homeless on the streets.
WOW
The single parent training programme was broadened allowing over 400 more single parents the opportunity to become marketable.
With skills achieved, single parents were also afforded the opportunity to improve their financial status through the revolutionary single parents’ micro credit Women of Worth (WOW) programme.
The programme provided the opportunity for more single parents to improve their financial status and to make significant contributions to economic development by having access to loans ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 to establish and expand small businesses.
The programme is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).
The WOW department at the Ministry, by December 2011, had issued about 1,160 loans, valued in excess of $224M, to single parents since its inception in 2010.
In addition to this, single parents who were registered with the Ministry in 2009 continued to received grants for daycare expenses so they could have remained employed.
PROTECTION FOR THE VULNERABLE
Guyana’s children today enjoy a special place on the agenda of the PPP/C government, as more resources were invested in 2011 for further promotion of children’s rights. Amendments were made and bills passed in the National Assembly, including the new Child Development Act of 2011.
This act will provide for the licensing and monitoring of children’s facilities including day care centres and play groups.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Ministry over the past five years stepped up its fight against domestic violence, through several initiatives such as the National Domestic Violence oversight committee, White Zone and the Skeldon Declaration.
These programmes were further promoted in 2011 with the provision of more technical assistance and referral services such as legal aid to survivors of domestic violence. In December, new President Donald Ramotar indicated that his government will take a ‘no nonsense’ approach to dealing with the issue.
In 2011, scores of men and boys, aged 14 years, from Berbice signed onto the Skeldon Declaration, indicating their commitment to help put an end to domestic violence in all its forms wherever it exists.
This strategy was a collaborative effort between the Ministry and non-governmental organizations, including the Men Empowerment Network that cleared the path for the launching of the historic White Zone, a place of neutrality, at the Wakenaam cottage hospital, where vulnerable persons, especially women and children, can seek help and protection from human predators.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Feminition, the brain child of former Minister Priya Manickchand, provided women from across the country the opportunity to further promote their talents and creativity while tapping into economic gains during the three-day event. It brought out the wide range of talents of women and created business linkages.
CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY
This historic venture that was initiated by the Administration in 2009 as part of the move to further protect the well-being of children in Guyana was further strengthened in May 2011 when the Child Care and Protection Agency moved into a $25M head office at the corners of Broad and Charles Streets, Charlestown
The agency was actively monitoring foster homes and orphanages, and implementing policy with regards to adoption, custody, guardianship and maintenance of children.
In December, the Child Care and Development Agency also held its first review conference to appraise and examine its operation procedures, achievements and challenges of the Agency and formulate strategies for the coming year.
The Agency also trained more social workers to further enhance the human resources capacity.
FAMILY COURT
Guyana’s first family court has been completed, albeit some delay in its operationalisation.
This facility will allow adults and children to seek redress, and where family law issues can be discussed in a specialized manner such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.
A committee has been established and is currently working to formulate laws and regulations for its speedy operation.
THE PALMS
The welfare of senior citizens has always been a major priority for the PPP/C Government hence the constant maintenance and upkeep of the institution was critical in 2011. New recreational facilities, including a gym, a library, and canteen facilities were installed to keep the residents healthily occupied.
LABOUR
The Labour Ministry emphasised training, job services, public education and heightening awareness of labour standards, prevention of child labour and HIV and AIDS in the workplace.
Government has been working continuously to ensure workers’ rights are respected, labour laws are strictly observed and interventions are made when employers fail to honour their obligations.
Today the country’s Labour Laws provide a measure of guarantee through procedures and institutions, for the maintenance of a stable industrial relations environment.
BIT TRAINING
The Ministry continued with its aggressive training programmes to allow more youths to develop their potential under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which has been providing thousands with the opportunity to acquire a skill.
The programme was designed to specifically target school leavers and school dropouts to ensure that they are equipped with skills that will make them employable in areas such as Heavy Duty Equipment, Garment construction, Information Technology, catering and masonry.
Almost 2,000 youths were trained by the Ministry during the year.
HIV/AIDS in the workplace
In ensuring that the workforce is protected, and that stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS in the workplace is removed, the Labour Ministry continued the promotion of its national HIV/AIDS workplace programme which saw many businesses and workplaces committing to being equal opportunity employers.
ERADICATING CHILD LABOUR
The Ministry also continued to forge partnerships with several Ministries and agencies including education, health and the Guyana Teachers’ Union to increase awareness of child labour .
The Ministry also embarked on a child labour project to reduce truancy and increase school attendance.
Labour, Occupational Health and Safety (LOSH)
2011 also saw the continuation of the Ministry’s outreaches to workplaces throughout the country, along the coastland as well as far reaching communities including Mahdia, Lethem, Crabwood Creek, Kwakwani, Linden, Bartica, Port Kaituma, Parika and Mabaruma, contributing to a much safer working environment.
CRMA
The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), of the Labour Ministry in 2011 provided placement for hundreds seeking jobs by allowing for business persons to register their vacancies by posting information on the website.
NEW MINISTERS
Minister Jennifer Webster, with responsibility for Human Services and Social Security, and Dr Nanda Gopaul responsible for Labour were sworn in on December 5.
Minister Webster has pledged to work to improve the quality of life of women, children, differently-abled, and senior citizens.
In collaboration with the Chancellor of the Judiciary, she plans to bring into reality the Family Court and reform pension for senior citizens, and focus a little more on the family.
The new Labour Minister’s focus will be on “observing the modern pieces of legislations that we have already enacted to ensure they are observed and that workers, irrespective of industry, irrespective of station in life, the conditions and their employment history is one in which they will be happy and that they have an environment of peace, tranquility and see Guyana develop from strength to strength.”
Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2011/12/30/the-social-services-sector