PSC Chairman: workplace inclusion vital for ethnic harmony

CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Boyer, is of the view that workplace inclusion is a crucial component of racial and ethnic harmony in Guyana, particularly as the country seeks to develop its socio-economic potential. The PSC chairman made these remarks on Tuesday during a public forum aimed at initiating some dialogue on how ethnic relations in Guyana can be improved. “At a national level, every individual company should recognise the importance of developing sound policies and programmes that address structural barriers to inclusion,” Boyer posited. He explained that the country is entering the global village and is facilitating the flow of capital and goods from regional and international destinations. As such, he reasoned, improving ethnic relations becomes a necessary component of building capacity.

He also acknowledged that there have been challenges with both ethnic relations and racial discrimination that have constrained the national, social, economic and political landscape. “If Guyana is to fulfil its true socio-economic potential, members of the public and private sector should be committed to upholding values that eliminate barriers to interracial harmony, which include providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and delivering services fairly and impartially.” he highlighted. Boyer said further, “This effort should be viewed as an essential prerequisite in nation-building and should be considered a critical responsibility to foster a sense of security among all ethnic groups to encourage and promote the understanding, acceptance and tolerance of diversity in all aspects of life.”

Importantly, though, Boyer emphasised that fostering and promoting understanding tolerance, co-existence and harmony among ethnic groups has always been a part of Guyanese culture. And he posited that all Guyanese should be reminded of the cultural and ethnic diversities embraced as a nation, as all persons continue to strive for a more cohesive society. The International Labour Organization (ILO), in its 2014 publication titled: “Promoting equity – Ethnic diversity in the workplace” posited that conscious or unconscious prejudice and stereotyping of individuals from diverse groups can condition people’s behaviour and may lead to discriminatory practices in the workplace.

The ILO posited that addressing direct and indirect racial discrimination, through an organisation’s rules, policies, practices and procedures, is essential if diversity is to be promoted and ensured. And, the organisation emphasised that there are benefits that can be garnered from an ethnically diverse workplace including, but not limited to, satisfying legal and ethical obligations, improved social cohesion, greater flexibility and adaptability in a globalised world, and increased innovation. Boyer also advocated for greater focus on a facilitating structure for entrepreneurship as he addressed questions on the historic unequal distribution of wealth. He explained that entrepreneurship can help to create more equitable wealth across the population and across the country.

“What we have to do is set up the structures that facilitate entrepreneurship across the population, (including) access to capital, access to resources and education,” he related. And he suggested that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) lobby for policies which would ensure that the requisite structures are put in place to allow for this equitable access to these resources. He also said the ERC could monitor how these policies are able to help the various ethnic groups. Once entrepreneurs in different locations and across ethnicities have equal access to opportunities to create wealth, Boyer posited that they will create businesses that provide solutions to various problems and needs in society.