-company failed to make report

An autopsy has confirmed that saw mill worker David Smartt died of cardiac arrest as a result of electrocution and the Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation into the incident.

Smartt, 19, of Welcome Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, died on Monday while he was working at Ousman and Son’s Sawmill, where he was employed.

A post mortem, which was conducted Thursday, confirmed the cause of death, according to Smartt’s relatives.

Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir, meanwhile told Stabroek News that a preliminary report was concluded but he noted that the owner of the sawmill did not report the incident to the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry. “It is the obligation of every employer to immediately inform the [department] of any job related incidents like this,” he explained. Nadir said that he was unable to give more details of the investigation since the officer was still in Rosignol at the time.

The Night Shelter has extended its capacity to now cater for almost 250 persons providing them with meals, medical assistance and more importantly indefinite accommodation on a 24-hour basis.

Located at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence, it was initially established to provide sleeping accommodation for the homeless and indigent but based on the demand has seen it fit to offer a safe haven to street dwellers.
During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Tuesday, Administrator of the facility, Harry Dat Tilku disclosed that the number of dwellers at the Night Shelter has been increasing steadily and now stands between 180 to 200 persons.
Three meals are provided to each resident on a daily basis along with basic supplies including bed sheets, mosquito nets, toothbrushes and other toiletries.

The Ministries of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and Culture, Youth and Sport in conjunction with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police today launched a workshop to sensitise youths on the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Thomas Lands.
Over the next two days, the youths, chosen from groups in Regions Four, Six and Ten will see “edutainment” being used as the tool through which they learn about gender based violence and its implications.

The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) has already filled more than half of the 1,800 vacancy notices received from employers this year realising the Labour Ministry’s vision of providing job placement for those so inclined.
Head of the CRMA, Valarie Moore today confirmed to the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the unit received requests for 1,800 employees most of which were filled. 

- Labour Statistics reveal

A government survey has found that 90 percent of the labour force does not have an education above secondary level. In the survey, 540 establishments were targeted in Guyana under the Occupational Wages and Hours of Work Survey (OWHWS). Of this amount, 251 establishments responded in eight regions, this is according to the quarterly report of the Statistical Unit of the Ministry of Labour.

The Ministry of Labour views the human resource element of work as an equally important factor of production and as such will begin the annual Occupational Wages and Hours of Work Survey.
According to a release from the ministry, the survey is expected to begin on August 3 and will cover questions on wages and hours of work of various occupations as well as the employment costs component.
Statistics on wages and hours of work comprise one of the main branches of labour statistics and are essential in evaluating conditions of work.