Georgetown: The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has called on the coalition government to respect the rights of all workers, in all instances, and at all times.
“The double standards in politics, governance and decision making which only ensure disharmony among the citizens and divisions of the working class with regard to treatment under the laws must end. It is time to move Guyana forward and this cannot happen in an environment where the maxim in George Orwell's Animal Farm "all are equal but some are more equal than some" holds sway,” the Union noted in a press release.
The statement reads as followed below:
GTUC has taken note of government’s move to engage the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) soon after a strike; a move that clearly signals to workers at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), traditional public sector and elsewhere that similar action may be required of them in order to have their rights upheld. In a month’s time it will mark six years of struggle by BCGI workers to have their grievances attended to consistent with the laws.
The parties in government today when in opposition were vocal in condemnation of BCGI mistreatment of workers and the PPP handling of the matter, made this part of their campaign, and promised to ensure justice should they be elected. GTUC is aware that efforts were made by Minister Simona Broomes to visit BCGI and her delegation was hindered from doing so. GTUC also engaged Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence more than once requesting enforcement of the Laws of Guyana consistent with her responsibility and oath of office. The government's indecision and/or apparent complicity in this egregious matter require(s) explanation.
It is not lost on GTUC that while the government correctly condemns Bharrat Jagdeo who during his presidency thought he had within his power the authority to cede any part of Guyana to Venezuela, it remains silent/complicit on the part of Guyana that is ‘sold out’ to the Russian oligarchs, who are allies of President Madura and Jagdeo. For as Jagdeo toyed with a proposal in favour of Venezeula, residents of Aroraima and Kawkawani and BCGI workers are living and working under adverse conditions imposed by BCGI which the Government of Guyana (GoG) is part owner of.
More troubling is that given government sets the tone and shoulders principal responsibility to enforce the Laws for all and the seeming lack of concern that in the failure to do so national unity is threatened. GTUC reiterates it calls for the right to collective bargaining to be respected for all unionised workers, not some. Equally as the government moves with promptness to correctly uphold same for GuySuCo workers, they must do so for public servants, bauxite workers, transport and harbor, and others.
Government is also reminded that contrary to what some officials are informing the public the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service has no power or authority to determine the setting of wage/salary and working conditions. The Trade Union Recognition Act, Section 23 (1) is very clear on how matters of this nature ought to be treated and GTUC calls for the upholding of the laws. This universal principle must too hold true for sugar workers, notwithstanding the Commission of Inquiry into the industry.
The public sector which is vital to the nation’s development and efficient delivery of goods and services by government has seen the Guyana Public Service Union members denied the right to collective bargaining for more than a decade. Though this transgression was condemned by the administration when in opposition, it has continued under its stewardship as seen in the 2015 wage/salary determination. This nation continues to be held hostage to a discredited practice of politicians’ actions being inconsistent with their commitments.
GTUC reminds this nation that as GuySuCo continues to receive monthly bailout from the State coffers, this money include the taxes of police officers, public servants, teachers, nurses and bauxite workers who are toiling under conditions of service deserving of improvement, still struggling for a living wage, and/or have the right to collective bargaining respected.
In the meantime GTUC notes the PPP’s support for sugar workers industrial action, which Clement Rohee deemed necessary and called on the public to support as another example of political double standards. It is unfortunate when the PPP was in office it did not consider what is good for sugar workers was not equally good for public servants, teachers, bauxite workers, etc and treat them in equal manner. Instead, laws were violated and some workers’ rights were transgressed with impunity. Even more troubling to Labour is that this administration has apparently settled in following the same path.
The APNU+AFC administration is put on notice that workers did not cast their ballot for an exchange and they shall be held accountable, even moreso that their contract with the electorate was made on the commitment to do better than their predecessor in upholding workers/citizens’ rights and governing consistent with the rule of law.
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