TUC says economic programme needed

-flays gov’t decision-making

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday roasted the APNU+AFC government for what it called the hodgepodge and reckless manner in which it is making decisions and it also says the country needs an economic programme.

A press statement from the GTUC expressed concerns about the manner in which government was making decisions in the spheres of industrial relations and economic policy. The congress has also condemned a decision by Region 5 Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison to withhold the June salary of teachers in that Region who have been approved for travel during the August holidays.

Further condemnation was expressed for the dismissal of acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan Johnson and Director of Nursing (DON), Collene Hicks of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to the release the industrial relations climate remains unstable and workers’ rights continue to be trampled; a situation compounded by government’s refusal to engage with various unions.

“Several attempts to engage Government consistent with Articles 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution continue to be ignored…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 release said before bemoaning the exclusion of sugar workers and their trade unions from discussions on the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

This exclusion, the GTUC charged, 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,” the statement notes.

In the absence of respectful and meaningful consultation, the GTUC contends that the nation continues to witness arrogance and abuse in the treatment of workers.

It referred to Morrison’s decision as arrogant and reckless noting that annual vacation is earned and there is no authority given to any public official to withhold earned income.

Morrison had claimed that a regulation exists which empowers him to withhold the salary of teachers who are travelling out of the country during the August vacation. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Vibert Welch has since told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that this is not true.

On the issue of the GPHC dismissals, the GTUC refers to this as another display of arrogance.

The acting CEO, Johnson was, GTUC contends, fired on frivolous accusations and his right to natural justice denied while the DON, Hicks was dismissed based on a Commission of Inquiry Report. Speaking about this report, the GTUC alleged that though Hicks was asked to respond to its findings, her request to view the evidence which led to these findings was refused by the GPHC.

Additionally the GTUC has questioned government’s commitment to labour as an important sector of the country.

Joy-rides

“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 seems more interested in finding time to use workers/taxpayers’ money to send several minsters and those in its upper echelon on joy-rides around the world,” the statement notes while questioning the continued absence of a Ministry and Minister of Labour.

“A minister with responsibility for Labour is distinctly different from a Minister of Labour,” GTUC stressed.

Also condemned is the failure of the APNU+AFC government after two years in office to establish and properly staff several of the Rights and Services Commission.

“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... Social cohesion cannot thrive where there remains exclusion, un-necessary 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 if governing is done by command, gut-feelings, sectional and self-interest,” the statement explains.

Responsibility

The GTUC stressed that government must recognise it has responsibility to institute an Economic Programmne to realise increase and expansion of wealth for citizens.

It noted that since the Structural Adjustment Programme, instituted during the Desmond Hoyte Administration, Guyana has not had the benefit of similar programme instead “willy-nilly approaches to give impression an economic plan exists” have been utilized.

“Government must establish a programme for legitimate wealth to flow and stem the deepening of economic woes,” GTUC stated while expressing concern about government’s engagement with China with the aim of investing in the gold industry.

The body notes that while it is not opposed to foreign investors it is against any preferential treatment being given to Chinese businesses for the exploitation of Guyana’s 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 GTUC stated, invoking the track record of Chinese companies involved in the building of the Marriott, the construction of the over US$200m Skeldon Factory now a white elephant, requiring tens of millions in repair.

Specific mention was made of the BaiShanLin group of companies which was involved in both the forestry and gold mining sector and GTUC noted that when dealing with Chinese companies Guyanese continue to get the short end of skewed investments and have to suffer the consequences, including repayment of loans, agreements violated, and local workers denied employment.

The GTUC also called 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 (a) 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,” it contended.