PNCR files no confidence motion against Labour Minister

Apr 08, 2010 News

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) yesterday, submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly, a Motion of No Confidence in the Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir.
According to the party the Laws of Guyana, namely the Labour Act and the Trade Union Recognition Act, Chapter 98:07 confer substantial powers on the Minister of Labour to take prompt and decisive action to settle cases of trade disputes and protect the rights of Guyanese workers.

Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir.

The party insists that the Minister has the power to inquire into the causes and circumstances of labour disputes; taking such steps as to him may seem expedient for the purpose of promoting a settlement of the difference; and, with the consent of both parties to the difference, or of either of them, or without their consent, refer the matter for settlement to the arbitration of an arbitration tribunal consisting of one or more persons appointed by the Minister.
The party also prefaced its argument in filing the no confidence motion against Nadir adding that the Government of Guyana is a signatory to International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions Nos. 87, 98, 135,154,158 and 163 which impose the obligation on the Government to protect and advance the rights and interests of Guyanese workers.
“Armed, as he is, with these powers and obligations, we can only conclude that the failure of the Minister, to protect and uphold the legally entitled rights of the workers, under the three year duration (2008 to 2010) Collective Labour Agreement (C.L.A), between the recognised Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (G.B. & G.W.U.) and the RUSAL owned BCGI at Kwakwani, represent a gross and discriminatory dereliction of his responsibilities to the workers of Guyana.”