In its effort to push for the decentralisation and modernisation of its services, the Ministry of Labour, launched its first public mobile application on the Google Play and App stores.

The Ministry of Labour of Guyana disclosed that the app name is Labour Advice. This app is said to allow for the computerised management of complaints and inquiries being submitted to the ministry’s labour department. Notably, Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine, noted that the app serves as both a quick and easy mechanism to access the ministry’s advisory services and lodge disputes and complaints. He further reinforced that the app would not replace the ministry’s current walk-in services, but instead bolsters the ministry’s capacity to ensure that Guyanese across the length and breadth of the country can access these services.

“This app is designed to give workers and employers a convenient, efficient, and user-friendly tool to stay informed about their rights and seek assistance when necessary,” the Chief Labour Officer said.

The launch of the “Labour Advice” mobile application ties into the ministry’s efforts to digitise and thereby improve its services through a shift towards more localised and innovative approaches. This includes the Ministry’s National Job Bank, which was launched through the Ministry’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) in March of 2022. Both of these services were created in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, who delivered feature remarks, highlighted that it is especially important to view the launch against the backdrop of the development that has been taking place in the labour sector since the re-establishment of the Labour Ministry in 2020.  He underscored, “We are moving from a place where from 2015 to 2020, this country had no Labour Ministry, and that is important to note.”

The Minister added: “Through there establishment of Labour Ministry, and the expansions thereof, to today 29th May, we are launching a user-friendly application to allow for workers to engage the Ministry of Labour.” He further pointed out that when the Ministry was re-established, it deliberately set out to ensure that offices were established in every region—except for Region Eight—for the convenience of workers countrywide. Notably, this approach was to ensure that persons have direct access to officers of the Ministry of Labour.

“That was the first phase of this activity. We are now moving into the phase of technology and ready access to the Labour Ministry,” Minister Hamilton said. He also emphasized that the work of the Ministry is clear in several areas.
(Kaieteur News)…[+]