Guyana essential services expanded

The Guyana parliament has voted to add air traffic controllers to the list of essential service workers prevented from going on strikes.



Last year, controllers went on a one-week strike that disrupted Guyana\'s air services.



The law has also been clarified to include sectors and jobs such as electricity, garbage collection and grave diggers.



Under the amendment essential service workers contemplating strike action are now required to write to the labour minister notifying him of a dispute.



The minister then has at least 10 days to decide whether the matter will be referred to a tribunal for resolution.



Individuals taking strike action deemed to be illegal can be fined the equivalent of US$150 and an additional fine of US$5 for every day that they’re off the job.



Opposition parties have described the amendment as anti-labour.