§ Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what new publicity, by post or other printed notice, has been undertaken in British Guiana in the last four years to give workers information about their rights to make claims and to proceed to arbitration in cases of industrial accident.
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§ Mr. Lyttelton,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th November, 1953; Vol. 521, c. 92], supplied the following information
- (1) The Workmen's Compensation Ordinance passed in December, 1952, contains a provision that an abstract of the Ordinance and Regulations made there under should be compulsorily displayed at places of work. The Ordinance, however, has not yet been brought into force by proclamation. A motion asking for immediate proclamation was introduced by the minority party in the House of Assembly and debated on the 11th September, 1953; but was withdrawn on assurance given by the Minister of Labour in the Government then in office of his intention to introduce amendments before requesting the Governor to proclaim the Ordinance.
- (2) No publicity by posters or other printed notice has been undertaken in British Guiana in the meantime. However, officers of the Department of Labour constantly remind workers and trade union officers of their readiness to assist workers to claim compensation for industrial injuries and approximately 500 individuals are so assisted each year. In addition, about 200 trade union officers and members have been given instruction in 1951 and 1952 on workmens' compensation law at trade union seminars. The Government of British Guiana regards this as the most effective means of disseminating such information.