With the recent incidents involving foreign nationals performing duties as security personnel in Guyana it is incumbent on the government of Guyana to pass legislation similar to that in the Bahamas which restricts the license to operate and perform Security Guard Services to Bahamian nationals only.
With the recent incidents involving foreign nationals performing duties as security personnel in Guyana it is incumbent on the government of Guyana to pass legislation similar to that in the Bahamas which restricts the license to operate and perform Security Guard Services to Bahamian nationals only. This policy ensures that in the event of a violation, all offending parties can be held accountable for their actions and are not able to flee to their country of origin and evade the local judicial system.
In recent videos on social media there appear to be incidents of altercations between Guyanese nationals and individuals, some of whom were later identified as holding Ukrainian passports and employed by the Russian-owned company, West Bank Demerara Gold Inc.
The government of Bahamas has developed legislation with a well thought out policy and procedure for those seeking a Licence to Operate an Inquiry Agent and / or a Security Guard Company, and Guyana could benefit for their experience.
Link to Legislation titled INQUIRY AGENTS AND SECURITY GUARDS: http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1976/1976-0019/InquiryAgentsandSecurityGuardsAct_1.pdf
Excerpt:
Bahamian Law (2) No person shall hold himself out as acting as an inquiry agent or a security guard or as being engaged in the business of providing inquiry agents or security guards unless he is a Bahamian and is licensed under this Act.
With the surge of foreign and local companies entering Guyana’s landscape it is prudent and necessary that employers, particularly foreign based entities are operating their companies with integrity and accountability. Clear rules of engagement which protect and ensure the sovereignty of Guyana’s resources including its people are essential. In a new world order of expanded business on a larger and more diverse international scale, it will be important to ensure in the rush to benefit from this expansion, we do not ignore and subsequently leave behind our most precious asset, our people.
