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Doing Business in Guyana

Labour Laws in Guyana

Labour Regime

Guyana has several laws which govern the employment of labour. Some of the significant laws in this regard are as follows: 

Labour Act

  1. Labour Act 

  2. Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act

  3. Wages Council Act

  4. Leave with Pay Act

  5. Shops (Consolidation) Act

  6. Prevention of Discrimination Act

  7. Occupational Safety and Health Act

  8. Labour (Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers) Act

  9. Trade Unions Recognition Act

  10. Employment of Young Persons and Children Act

  11. Licensed Premises Act

  12. Factories (Hours and Holidays) Act

These laws address matters such as the treatment of wages and salaries, normal hours of work and overtime, leave with pay, safety, health and welfare, accidents and occupational diseases, termination of employment and severance pay, registration and regulation of industrial establishments, collective agreements, employment of young persons and duty of employers to keep records.  

The normal work week is legislated as 40 hours over not more than 5 days.  Any hours of work beyond normal hours are remunerated as overtime in accordance with applicable law. 

The statutory minimum wage in Guyana is G$60,147 per month; however, the public service minimum wage is G$70,000 per month.   

Employment of Foreigners

Foreigners require a work permit to be employed in Guyana.  Application for work permit requires information on both the employer and the intended non-national employee.  Foreigners employed in Guyana are required to register with the Guyana Revenue Authority and National Insurance Scheme. 

A CARICOM national holding a CSME Skilled National Certificate and his/her spouse are not required to obtain work permits to be employed in Guyana.  

The information contained in this website is for general guidance on matters of interest only and is not meant to be comprehensive. It is recommended that you obtain advice specific to your circumstances from professional advisors before proceeding.