Cuban workers working in conformity with labour laws; Gov’t engaging US on restrictions – President

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday said the government is engaging the United States on its recent decision to place visa restrictions on officials believed to be involved in the export of Cuban workers.

And President Ali assured the public that the Cubans working in Guyana are treated fairly, per the country’s labour laws, and share benefits similar to local workers.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event on Saturday, President Ali said the government has written to the US through its official channels on the subject.

“Every country develops (its) own policy.

“Whatever workers we have here, whether it’s from Cuba, Africa, India, they fall under the same labour laws, local labour laws,” Dr Ali said.

Additionally, the President said the government ensures that the workers’ contracts and terms of employment align with international labour laws and standards.

“We are not in breach of any of the laws. We are very confident that they are working in strict conformity with our laws,” President Ali said.

In February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the country’s plans to expand a visa restriction policy targeting Cuban officials that are believed to be affiliated with a labour programme that sends Cuban workers overseas, especially those in the health sector. The US administration believes that Cubans may be part of a forced labour programme.

Guyana’s health sector, like others across the region, benefits significantly from the service of the Cubans. The announcement has been met with some pushback from other Caribbean leaders; Guyana maintains that diplomatic engagements should continue to resolve the issue.

President Ali on Saturday noted that the government also informed the US of Guyana’s willingness to provide any information necessary.

“We are more than willing to work with them because the US is a very important partner for Guyana and we work closely on a number of issues,” Dr Ali noted.