The private sector has found its voice, but what about its bite?

Aug 25, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Private sector bodies are showing gumption. The Private Sector Commission has been critical of the manner in which the government has gone about dismissing government employees, while the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association has asked the government to review the decision to pay a multi-billion-dollar settlement to a private company.
Earlier the Bankers’ Association expressed alarm – and rightly so – about the decision of the government to withdraw some sixty billion dollars over a period of time from the banking system,
It is not clear who is to be credited with this newfound militancy by the private sector. Is it a case that under the PPPC the private sector became stronger and therefore feels they are now in a position to oppose policies with which they are not in agreement? Or is it a case that under the APNU/AFC government, the private sector feels more free and therefore has stepped out of its shell and openly been critical of the ruling administration?
Whatever is the answer – and this Peeper is more inclined to go with the former explanation rather than the latter – it is a favourable development in Guyana. It is healthy that an important section of our society is prepared to assert its interest, even if this means opposition to the government.
The criticisms made by the private sector of the government should be encouraged, because it will keep the government on its toes and not allow it to feel that it has a private sector which will roll over and take whatever hiding the government wishes to administer.
The private sector is stronger now than ever in the history of Guyana. It therefore may feel that it is in a position to be openly critical of the government. It is in a position to press for changes.
All the private sector companies have to do is to reduce imports by 8% and the economy of Guyana will collapse. All the private sector has to do is to delay payments of taxes by one month and the revenues of the government will dart into a downward spiral. At present many private investors are cagey about the economy. This has led to problems with the business climate, which the government is hoping will be resolved when public expenditure intensifies after the passage of the Budget.
That is wishful thinking. There is a lack of business confidence in the economy, because the business class is not too certain as to the direction the country is going. Since the new government came to power there have been no overtures to the business class. There has been no attempt to promote greater confidence in the economy. The government seems more concerned about the discovery of oil than it is with dealing with the very class which it needs to promote a favourable business environment.
The Budget itself cannot provide the stimulus required. The government cannot spend 221 billion in five months, and therefore the business community is going to adopt a wait-and-see attitude towards the government.
In the meantime, it is signaling its concerns over issues including the manner in which public sector workers are being sent home. There are grave concerns about this. In one instance, forty–two employees were fired at one time from one government agency. The private sector is concerned about this development. They are not going to be impressed by the response that the government has a right to fire people. The right to fire is not an unconditional right. Workers have expectations. They have expectations that if they do their work, they will not be penalized. This is a legitimate expectation and it is protected in law.
It was good to learn yesterday that some private individuals are actually trying to help some of the persons so far dismissed by employing them. Private businessmen are helping those who have been placed on the breadline. This again shows that the private sector is simply not going to be silent or inactive in the face of abuses by the government.

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