Latest update April 26th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 08, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
As this country celebrates 50 years of political independence the citizens are witnessing the existence of two Guyanas:- one being managed by the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government, and the other being managed by Russian oligarchs with the complicity of government. A mockery is being made of our forebears’ struggles that led to the achievement of self-government and realized indigenous laws to govern the nation’s affairs which are today being treated with contempt in sections of Guyana and to sections of Guyanese who are not protected by them.
Reference is being made to the unresolved industrial disputes between the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) which operates mines in Aroraima and Kwakwani and has a majority Guyanese labour force. BCGI is jointly owned by Russia Aluminium and the Government of Guyana.
The flouting of the laws and the transgressing of the rights of workers protected in these laws by the company have been going on for years. This government, when in opposition, went to the National Assembly (the nation’s highest decision-making forum) and demanded if then Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir cannot resolve the grievances he must resign. On 11th May 2015 the workers gave them the opportunity to do what the PPP refused to do.
While Minister Broomes, who is a minister within a Ministry, has acted in some areas as they relate to BCGI, the authority to issue letters for arbitration is vested in the Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence with whom the instrument lies. One of the major problems the people face with elected officials is that these persons are more inclined to manage the affairs of state, i.e. the people’s business, based on whether their egos are bruised or how they feel about individuals or groups rather than being in compliance with the laws they have sworn to uphold and discharge their duty, without fear, favour, ill will or appreciation.
Another situation Guyanese are facing in the 50th year is the open disregard by the Government for the court. In 2012 the court handed down a decision to reissue letters to commence arbitration on the outstanding issues. This continued disregard is also undermining the Rule of Law, the independence of the Judiciary and placing the Executive above these, when the laws of the land grant no such authority.
The symbol for the jubilee is the jaguar. The jaguar is Guyana’s national animal. It is known not only for its majesty, beauty and rarity, but for its strength and courage to confront its’ adversaries and refusal to cede what belongs to it. When one transposes this persona to the Government of Guyana, it is deserving of answer whether there exists collusion with or subordination to the BCGI Russian management, which would make Guyana a satellite colony of Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, and brings dishonour to this animal.
This nation must decide if planned independence celebrations in 2016 reflect the right to self-determination or that of the colonised, indentured and enslaved parading in fancy clothing, engaging in pomp and ceremony to honour their subjugation. For Guyanese can make no true claim to political independence when some of our citizens within these 83,000 square miles are living and working under conditions at BCGI inconsistent with our laws.
On this matter, given my experience, the governments of Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddie Jagan and Janet Jagan would never have tolerated it, much less allowed such contempt to fester this long. There can be no honouring of Independence when there is no honouring of our laws and the workers, the former which ensure and secure our sovereignty, and the latter whose labour turn the wheels of production, ensure distribution, consumption, growth and development.
Lincoln Lewis
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