The Ministry of Labour should pay more attention to the abuse of women in the workplace

Dear Editor,

The increasing number of women in the workforce is a good indicator that women have more freedom and liberties as compared to the past, where women were negatively stereotyped and deprived of their rights and freedoms due to a malecentric line of thinking.

In Guyana, there is also an increasing number of women who are educating themselves and this is a phenomenon that Guyanese should be proud of as the Government of Guyana has been committed to developing the skills of women through the funding of various programmes and grants.

I also see many women who are turning into successful entrepreneurs and investors, and this is all with the help and support of the government which treats women with the respect and dignity that they deserve.

On the other hand, as women enter the workforce, there should be consideration by the Labour Ministry of any cases of abuse in the workplace, especially where private enterprises are concerned.

As a former employee of one private company, I was subject to verbal abuse and intimidation by the owner, his wife and daughter, who form part of the executive body of the firm.

I had to endure the emotional pain and suffering from June 2008 to February 2009 when I walked off the job after being a victim of a robbery at South Road and Oronoque which is not too far from the firm’s premises. Instead of being given the next day off, I was intimidated by the owner. I left the job three weeks later as I was constantly victimized by the owner and his family.
I filed a complaint with one of the officers of the Ministry of Labour and they did nothing. Is this how women are to be treated in the workforce?

My horrible experience at the firm is a typical example of how women can be abused by the owners who have that atrocious mentality.

Yours faithfully,
Amrita Ramotaur
Netherlands Antilles