Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
Double standard evident in Govt’s use of polygraph – GPSU
GPSU Patrick Yarde at the GPSU press conference, yesterday
The manner in which polygraph tests are imposed in this country clearly exemplifies the pursuit of narrow political objectives thus it cannot be perceived as in the national interest, said President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde.
His comments came when the union held a press conference at its Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive Headquarters, yesterday.
The President expressed his convictions that there seems to be a conspiracy and even deliberate action to find ways and means to dismiss people randomly. Added to this state of affairs, Yarde said that it has been recognised that there is a double standard which must be analysed a mission the union has already embarked upon.
The GPSU has observed Government’s intent to arbitrarily use polygraph testing on those who are employed in the operational arm of the state as well as government agencies, Yarde said. And this unfolding situation is indeed a very serious one, he added.
As part of the new initiative, Yarde highlighted the government has blatantly and immorally exempted holders of important public offices and policy makers, including government ministers and permanent secretaries from such tests.
The exempted persons, the GPSU president said, are required by oath to lawfully and faithfully discharge their functions with outstanding and unquestionable integrity.
For this reason, the GPSU President further accentuated his convictions even as he questioned why such individuals should not be required to be tested equally, given the fact that the regime holds the polygraph testing process and mechanism in high regard.
He noted, though, that there are many questions about the conduct of public office holders therefore their innocence should be determined by the tests.
“It is puzzling to understand why they are not being tested to determine their innocence and fitness to occupy public offices and positions.
“The union finds this situation appalling and disturbing because within recent times many such functionaries have been the butt of criticisms and allegations of corrupt practices, abuse of public funds and even criminal conduct,” Yarde underscored.
He further questioned, “Why isn’t there the decency for the government to lead by example by putting those persons who are among the policy makers to the test and show the nation we are prepared to lead by example.”
Yarde, however, highlighted the fact that the polygraph testing is not only illegitimate and unacceptable in so far as it is used as the basis for determining the truthfulness or otherwise of those tested.
He added that it is widely recognised that the mechanism is the subject of serious limitations and doubt and is by no means flawless, a fact the ruling regime seems to be ignoring, if not disregarding, to the detriment of persons, their families and relations.
Yarde noted that all those implicated through the results of such tests could be seriously prejudiced.
The GPSU President said that the GPSU is urging its members, workers and the public in general to reject and oppose “this retrograde, unenlightened and dictatorial imposition.”
And this position, he said, had been taken by the union given the fact that the use of the polygraph mechanism has not benefited from discussions, inputs or contributions from the relevant stakeholders and sectors of the citizenry.
“We have not heard anybody calling any organisation to discuss the justification for this and to get public support as to what is the reason for this. In this context we have concluded that it is not in the national interest,” Yarde asserted.
And even as the union analyses the situation, he noted that it is already clear that the current action will evoke serious consequences. “This abuse will not be permitted to continue indefinitely.”
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