Find Out How to Get a Job and Work in Guyana

Employment in Guyana

With a steadily increasing tourism industry and the constant need for professionals in the teaching, medical and diplomatic professions, employment opportunities in Guyana have become particularly lucrative. The country has a great social security system with benefits extended to several disadvantaged groups in society. Thanks to the low cost of living, expats can enjoy a high quality of life in Guyana on the wage they receive from employment.

Work Permits for Guyana

Anyone hoping to move to Guyana for work must provide the Guyanese Ministry of Home Affairs with the name and address of their sponsor or employer. The place of employment must be an established and registered business. After the ministry has confirmed that the company is legitimate and the position of employments has been guaranteed, a work permit will be arranged and issued upon arrival. The Guyanese work permit will be valid for three years, after which it can be renewed.

Job Hunting in Guyana

Finding a job in Guyana could be relatively easy thanks to online job sites and nationwide newspapers. Papers such as Stabroek News and the Guyana Chronicle are distributed throughout the country and both include large job sections, with vacancies in a wide variety of sectors.

Qualified work force is always needed due to the lack of educated people, therefore expatriates have opportunities there. As well as this, there is a host of websites advertising Guyanese jobs in a selection of industries, from teaching and engineering to nursing and journalism. Some of the best websites for job hunting in Guyana include SkilledGuyanese.com and Guyanajobserach.com. There is always a need for expats to do NGO work, too; this is a wonderful way to get to know the people and culture of Guyana and really make a difference.

Social Security in Guyana

The social security benefit in Guyana is extended to all members of society including the elderly people, the ones with medical conditions and disabled. An old age pension is paid to Guyanese citizens aged 60 and above, as well as anyone aged between 16 and 59 who has been diagnosed by the National Insurance Medical Board with a permanent or long term disability or illness.

Guyana supplies a survivor grant to widowed spouses whose other halves have passed away, and anyone under 18 who has been orphaned. A grant is paid to surviving family members to subsidize the costs of a funeral. Workers’ mothers receive 70% of their average weekly earnings in maternity benefit for the 13 week maternity leave period. If there are any complications with the child’s birth, this can be extended to 26 weeks and a lump sum maternity grant of 2000 GYD may be awarded to the mother.