GTUC proposes 19 conditions for gov’t, opposition to meet before elections

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), submitting a list of conditionalities to be satisfied before elections can be held, has called for article 106 of the constitution to be amended, to require 60% of the National Assembly to vote in agreement before a no confidence vote is deemed successful.

“No nation should be subjected to confidence that is passed by a simple majority. The risk of this happening again is real,” said the GTUC, which, proclaiming to be speaking “on behalf of the workers of Guyana (past, present and potential)” in a statement, made a call for 19 conditionalities to be satisfied before a decision is made by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the way forward regarding general elections and the functioning of parliament.

The GTUC mainly called for changes in policy and legislation, and among the conditionalities, are calls for unemployment benefits, women and youth representation in the National Assembly, regional representatives in parliament and a national and regional healthcare policy.

“These conditionalities are not predicated on any effort to secure power to govern, they seek only to ensure that regardless of who governs (APNU+AFC Coalition/PPP/C/ or other) that the workers/citizens’ rights and benefits are taken into consideration. These measures are also geared to facilitate greater cooperation among the members of the National Assembly,” the GTUC stated.

The GTUC noted that the conditionalities are made for either or both sides to advance “and to recognise that serving the interest of the people must be paramount at all times”.

“Outside of this current time when both the government and Opposition are under pressure we the people will have no guarantees. There is little hope that these requests will be attended to after an election is won because politicians across the divide continue to fail us by not delivering consistent with pre-election promises, the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. The time for action is now,” GTUC asserted.

Policies and Social Reform

As far as policy reform goes, the GTUC has proposed: (1) that National and Regional Healthcare policies aimed at improving the healthcare system be developed. This is with the aim of providing free and accessible dialysis, together with government-supported welfare services, and complete diagnostic and other interventional healthcare service access in every region, as well as public access to annual mammograms, pap smears, and periodic prostate screening for men aged 50 years and over; (2) That there be the development of a national policy document aimed at deepening social services for senior citizens, improving conditions at the Palms Geriatric Hospital, and specialising geriatric services at all public hospitals and institutions.

(3) That there be a National Insurance Scheme for contributions to and the payment of unemployment benefits; (4) That a National Policy aimed at the protection of Guyana’s land for Guyanese be developed (Trinidad and Tobago offers a model - not selling land to multinational- oil and gas), and that all housing and land distribution include basic infrastructure (lights, water, drainage and all-weather roads); (5) That a percentage of the oil and gas revenue should be allocated to the public education system, with emphasis placed on specialised science and technology based schools. And that the University of Guyana’s modernization should be ensured, and its science, technology and healthcare faculties and programmes

extended, with the view of addressing developing needs.

Legislation

With regards to legislation: (6) That an industrial court be established in order to regulate industrial relationships between employers, workers and their unions, thus creating harmony and preventing and settling industrial disputes; (7) Legislation should be amended so that the Appropriation Bill cannot be passed by less than 60% of all elected members of the National Assembly; (8) An amendment to The Representation of the People Act should be made to require a mandatory percentage of those sitting in the National Assembly, ‘where at least one third of women was established, and the proposed quarter for youth for consideration’.

(9) That the practice of electing Regional Members of Parliament be adopted, with the representatives being selected through a direct balloting process. This is with the aim of bringing about greater representation and accountability to the communities they serve; (10) For there to be confirmation of the present Chancellor and Chief Justice and consequently, that the President and Leader of the Opposition retroactively confirm Justices Carl Singh and Ian Chang with the concomitant benefits. Also, the GTUC proposed that there be a review the system used for the appointment of those office holders.

(11) For at least 50 percent of each State board to be comprised of political nominees and appointees from the political parties sitting in the National Assembly, based on their proportional representation in the House. The seats remaining should be distributed among non-governmental organisations that represent special interests; (12) That there be established a Constitutional Human Rights Commission, to give meaning to Article 212N to 212P of the Guyana Constitution; (13) For the establishment and continual function of all constitutional Commissions, Tribunals and Boards. That is, where the life of one comes to an end and for any reason a new one has not been constituted, the life of the current board, commission or tribunal shall continue, until such time that the appropriate action is taken. Non-appointment of any constitutional body constitutes a violation of the Constitution.

(14) That they establish an Economic Council, which will be a body constituted from Labour, Business and Civil Society, that advises government on issues pertaining to economic development; (15) In relation to the Oil and Gas Industry, that i) A Local Content Policy be reviewed by stakeholders, brought to the legislature and passed into law; ii) That Guyanese are given primacy in jobs created in this industry, not only in accessing same, but in being paid wages and salaries that are correspondent with that paid to foreigners employed in similar capacities; iii) That business opportunities be made available so that Guyanese businesses benefit from all economic endeavours in this industry; and iv) For there to be continuous education and training to enhance local skills to take advantage of the industry.

(16) For there to be an amendment to Article 106(6) of the Guyana Constitution so that at least two-thirds or 60 percent votes of all members of the National Assembly are required for a vote to be successful; (17) That guidelines be established for how government and parliament “functions” after a successful no-confidence vote; (18) That there be legislation to ensure the state media access to stakeholders and the opposition during elections. Not just for 2019 but to protect all opposition parties as we move forward; (19) That there be ‘Campaign finance reform’; that being legislation for full disclosure of campaign financing and all contributions for electioneering purposes, with percentage limits applied to the overall sum of the campaign.

“We remind this nation and all who are looking on at the challenges in Guyana at this time that the requests of the GTUC are not out of order or impossible to attain, if it is the interest of the politician to serve this nation well. In 1990, a precedent was set when Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan requested that [the] President Desmond Hoyte government satisfy certain conditionalities before election was held. This request was supported as society felt it was important for both major political parties to satisfy the necessary conditionalities before an election date was announced,” the GTUC stated.

It added: “We also remind all, least it is forgotten or becomes an issue of contention that parliament was at the time dissolved and had to be reconvened. The current parliament has not been dissolved. Therefore, there can be no excuse by either side to deny an opportunity to strengthen our systems of government and ensure the workers of Guyana feel safe and secured regardless of which party/group wins an election.”