Georgetown: Under the theme “A long journey for social justice – together we can achieve,” Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis said partisan political “battles” are wearing the Guyanese people down.
During his address on Labour Day, Lewis addressed workers at the National Park, after the annual parade through central Georgetown.
He said that the government should work to find common ground with the Opposition and if there is to be argument, they can “trash them out” in parliament. However, he said that those engagements should be meaningful and productive.
Lewis added that, to government and all politicians, labour does not want to, and should not have to operate in an environment of conflict. He said that as the premier power in government, government should facilitate an environment of “harmony and consultation not confrontation”.
The trade unionist called for a stronger system of cooperation, through the strengthening of inclusionary democracy. That demand entails adjusting the number of votes required to pass bills in the National Assembly. Lewis explained that this arrangement would allow politicians on both sides of the political divide, the opportunity to foster greater collaboration.
In addition to this, the union leader advocated for immediate amendment to Article 106(6) of the Guyana Constitution to allow for at least two-thirds or 60 percent votes of all members of the National Assembly for a no-confidence vote to be passed. He said that it is “important to circumvent the risk of one vote in the National Assembly swaying the will of the people”.
Lewis also spoke in support of decentralizing the electoral system for regional party representatives. He said that a new system should allow for the election of the regional members of parliament through direct balloting. That, he said, would bring about greater representation and accountability to the community those persons are elected to serve.
Lewis admonished the Guyana Elections Commission for political posturing as well. He scolded the “constant walkout with no effort to dialogue and come to agreement”.
He stressed the importance of cooperation on the part of the commissioners to always come to a suitable resolve.
“These leaders who are paid by the people, owe it to the people to conduct the business of the electorate.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of workers braved the inclement weather and gathered at the Parade Ground to march though the streets of Georgetown in support of their unions. Many reflected on the challenges their forefathers faced for the advancement of all workers.
Minister within the Ministry of Social protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott said, his Ministry’s main objective is to ensure that workers receive all their benefits due to them, ensuring that the ‘good life’ is achieved for all.
“Today celebrates all the efforts of the past. It gives honour to the heroes that walked before us. They have spent years of struggle, and today we are much better off. We as a caring government, have dedicated ourselves to making sure that private and public servants are getting better wages, pensioners’ subsidy raised. Every facet of employment is our concern at Social Protection.”
Minister Scott said, workers should recognise that the benefits they receive today are as a result of the struggles of their predecessors and that of their unions.
Meanwhile, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally at the May Day Rally, announced that the Child Labour Policy was launched in the week of April 22. She also said the Children and Family Centre at Sophia, will soon have the minor electrical works and construction of a fire escape completed by the beginning of June.
“The Ministry of Social Protection is currently working on several key areas, to improve the lives of our workers, they include, implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Policy, the Child Labour Policy. We are also working on several pieces of labour related legislations, the establishment of an industrial court, the implementation of our decent work country programme, transformation of the informal economy into a state of formality, so that all workers therein can benefit from, Social Protection.”
Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson, urged Guyanese to ‘rub shoulders, put our hands together for a better and positive Guyana.’
“In order for development to continue, you need to depend on the labour force, so labour is very important, not only to the ministry which I am assigned to but the country. Without skilled people, doing the work we would not be able to see development.”
Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Mark Lyte reflected on the struggles the GTU faced for years and finally having it resolved as of 2019. “It signals the importance of workers coming out to indicate to their employers, we are a force and we are also sure that the wheels of the economy and the wheels of society keeps turning.”
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