Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 15, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
The areas of improvement in governance by the two-year old APNU+AFC Administration are noted. At the same time the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) desires not partial/selective improvement in performance or enforcement of laws, but full compliance to the principles of good governance and respect for the Guyana Constitution and Laws. GTUC notes with concern the hodge-podge and reckless approaches in decision-making. Several instances show clear absence of issues being well thought out, mindful of the impact on society – political, cultural, social and economic. Such conduct will not redound to the benefit of all nor create a conducive atmosphere for social cohesion to thrive.
Social cohesion cannot thrive where there remains exclusion, unnecessary conflicts, and disregard for time-honoured principles, laws, international conventions and charters. National unity, inclusionary democracy and the promised “Good Life” won’t be for all governing by command, gut-feelings, sectional and self-interest. The country’s natural resources belong to the people and must be exploited for their benefit and where possible their direct involvement respected.
GTUC is concerned about Government’s engagement with China with the aim of investing in our gold industry, given its track record. GTUC is not opposed to foreign investors but to the preferential treatment given for the exploitation of our resources while Guyanese are denied opportunities to do so. The syndicate miners are protesting to get access to land for their own economic survival and are being ignored by Government.
The Chinese’s track record in Marriott, BaiShanLin (forestry and gold), and the construction of the over US$200m Skeldon Factory, which is a white elephant, requiring tens of millions for repairs cannot be ignored. Guyanese continue to get the short end of skewed investments and have to suffer the consequences, including repayment of laws, agreements violated, and local workers denied employment.
GTUC calls for meaningful public engagement on the future of the oil and natural gas industry. It’s not enough to have public advertisement inviting people to meetings. There must be serious approach that includes Government, Opposition, Business, Trade Union and other stakeholders in national conversations on how this industry will be developed, resources exploited, and laws put in place for citizens/workers’ benefit. Government must not be allowed to singularly make decisions on this major development.
The industrial relations climate remains unstable and workers’ rights continue to be trampled. There remains an absence of a Ministry of Labour though our Labour Laws assigned specific responsibilities to the “Minister of Labour” which Guyana does not have. A minister with responsibility for Labour is distinctly different from a Minister of Labour. Collective Bargaining is not being conducted between the State agencies and public sector unions, primarily the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
The nation continues to witness arrogance and abuse in the treatment of workers. GTUC condemns Region Five Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison’s arrogance in the withholding of Region Five teachers’ salary. His decision is recklessness. Annual vacation is earned and there is no authority given to any public official to withhold earned income.
Another area of this arrogant display is the dismissal of acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Nursing (DON) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The acting CEO was fired on frivolous accusations and his right to natural justice denied- i.e. to be heard. The DON was dismissed based on a Commission of Inquiry Report. Even as she was asked to respond to its findings, and requested the evidence that led to them be made available to her, the GPHC has refused.
Exclusion of sugar workers and their trade unions in determining the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is making an already unstable environment more untenable. Government cannot say it is not being forewarned. There is a difference between confronting the challenges in GuySuCo and treating workers with due regard. This marks the third year the APNU+AFC Government has not sent a delegation to the International Labour Organisation Annual Conference, held in June. Government is more interested in finding time to use workers/taxpayers’ money to send several minsters and those in its upper echelon on joys rides around the world.
The non-establishment and proper staffing of the Rights and Services Commission is condemned. In this polarised environment that sees continual trampling of rights and excesses in government it is important the Human Rights Commission, Integrity Commission and Ethnic Relations Commission be up and running.
Government must recognise it has responsibility to institute an Economic Programmne to realise increase and expansion of wealth for citizens. Willy nilly approaches to give impression an economic plan exists will not do. Since the Structural Adjustment Programme, instituted during the Desmond Hoyte Administration, Guyana has not had the benefit of similar programme. Thankfully the underground economy is on the retreat but government must establish a programme for legitimate wealth to flow and stem the deepening of economic woes.
Several attempts to engage Government consistent with Articles 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution continue to be ignored. GTUC in exercising its responsibility to society shall speak out stridently on issues of national import that impact governance and the workers’ welfare-past, present and potential.
The federation shall continue the rejection of the Bharrat Jagdeo/Donald Ramotar exclusionary governance given it conflicts with the Principal Objective of the political system outlined in Article 13. APNU and AFC, in opposition, condemned this unconstitutional management, campaigned on and committed to uphold said Article, which remains critical for stability and nation building. Government is being put on notice that since the State was designed to be managed by the Rule of Law it would be held accountable for ensuring so.
Lincoln Lewis
Guyana Trade Union Congress
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
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