Jun 22, 2026 Editorial, News

(Kaieteur News) – Guyanese workers must be dancing to the music coming from government. Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Vickram Bharrat said that it is time for Guyanese workers in the oil and gas sector to receive remuneration that equates to what their foreign counterparts get. Agreeable from the sound of it, one which should be easy for the foreign executives controlling the sector to sign off on. It is fair, and the time is right. There is a small consideration in being fair to Guyanese oil and gas workers, doing what is right by them. It will cost money, and that means it has to come from somewhere. The profit side of the ledger seems to be the most likely, the only, candidate.

Fairness in the pay package of Guyanese workers is due after five years of paying their dues, learning the ropes, and equipping themselves. Years of hands-on experience, which are no longer soft and green, but hardened and knowing the work that has to be done, without having to be directed as much, if at all. The expectation is that these workers have added to their qualifications which, along with the years of experience gathered, stand as the best recommendation for them to get fair pay. Minister Bharrat spoke of equality, not equal, which only he may know what that means. We at this paper think of this in one way only. Insofar as the experience and qualifications of Guyanese oil and gas workers, and the consistent quality of their work, are in line with that of expatriate workers in the sector, then they must be on the same pay scale. This includes all the benefits that are a normal part of the compensation packages received by foreign workers.