FITUG conference seeks unification

Jul 14, 2010 News

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The 3rd Delegates Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) took place yesterday under the theme “United Representation to Achieve Social and Economic Progress”. The main focus of the event was to heal the rift of the trade union movement in Guyana and discuss the role unions can play in improving the social and economic progress of the country.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in his address to the delegates and observers noted that the FITUG was meeting at an interesting time of challenging issues, when changes may be required. Pointing to the recent international economic and financial crises, he said that most of the hardship was felt by the working people, and included bankers and companies that folded.
Hinds observed that although the worst seems to have passed, there are questions that a second dip might be on the way, adding that some persons are sensing the approach of some significant change in the international arena. He pointed out that the old basis for most economic activity, growth and development is that the demand for material goods would keep rising, and there would always be growth in the production of goods and services.
He stressed that there is a nagging question about the limits of what the environment can supply and receive, particularly with regard to climate change. This, he explained, could affect one of the fundamental bases of economic activity, that there are no limits to growth, development, production and consumption. However, on a hopeful note, he said that these issues may not have to be addressed now, but in another fifty years or so.
Speaking on a nation’s progress after Independence, the Prime Minister noted that countries do not really proceed until the politicians and fighters from that period have withered and fallen away. He added that when countries become independent, the generation involved in the struggle, is often taken up with the act, and they may have taken stances that may not have been adaptable with independence.
“We are now in the position of the previous owners. Now there has to be different answers to questions since we are in a different position than we were then,” he said.
“The way we formulate our position as working people is restraining. Certainly workers have the same ability and potential and are expected to contribute to the success of their enterprises just as anyone else,” he declared, adding that achievement of the workplace is just as important as pay. “The posture we have as unions, constrains us to realising to our satisfaction of the achievements at the workplace.
Head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Komal Chand informed the delegates that if the union is not strong enough, the members, the rank and file, will have to make it strong.
Pointing out that the recession is going into the second or third year in some developing countries, Chand said that with hardly any signs of recovery, workers there are losing their jobs and being forced to accept lower pay, and new pensioners have to wait longer to become eligible. In Guyana, Chand said, there can be no cutbacks.
President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan, said the union executive recognises the need to embrace other trade unions that are weaker. He threw out an invitation for other unions to get onboard with FITUG. Duncan stated that FITUG does not hide, but comes out in the open in support of the workers. He cited the union’s support of the Rusal workers and the move to become a member of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and the International Labour Federation.
Duncan also pointed out the importance of workers’ education and the role of women in the labour movement. The union leader asserted that young people also play a positive role in the movement, and it is with this in mind, that the union will be moving to establish the FITUG Youth Arm.
Outlining other areas and issues supported by the labour movement, Duncan pointed out that the FITUG has supported the administration’s fight against child labour.
Referring to the theme of the conference, Duncan said the FITUG has been trying to do this for the past five years, and has been calling for unity of the trade union movement at nearly every public forum. He threw out the offer that if other movements did not want to come under the FITUG umbrella, they could still join the body as a trade union.
Duncan stated that trade unions have to work with the private sector in harmony for the development of the country, adding that while FITUG is strong, there is the need to get stronger.
Delivering the feature address and issuing several challenges to the delegates of the four unions that make up FITUG, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, outlined the history of the trade union movement in Guyana from pre-independence to current times. He spoke of the vision of former President Cheddi Jagan, of the need for statesmanship to heal the rift of trade unions in Guyana, and its development. He pointed to ethnic polarisation in the early times of post-independence and the need, then and now, to apply the law to support workers’ rights.
Ramkarran also defended FITUG’s stance of supporting the views of the administration and its apparent involvement in politics. He stressed that the days of captive trade unions and captive trade union leaders “which are forced to make their choices based on political consideration” are long gone.
“There is nothing wrong with trade unionists having political views and prosecuting those views,” Ramkarran said, adding that this situation exists worldwide and what also exists, is that these organisations must represent the interests of their members first and foremost. He opined that the FITUG has not faltered in any way in representing the interest of its members.
Ramkarran noted that it is important to recognise that Guyana’s workers are woefully under organised, adding that a serious deficiency is that too few belong to trade unions.
“The world is changing and so must trade unions. The old rhetoric must give way to new reality,” declared Ramkarran.
Pointing out that Guyana needs investments of all kinds, Ramkarran added that trade unions and workers also need investments of all kinds.
“While not compromising on workers’ rights and interests, trade unions must assist in creating an environment in Guyana which is conducive to attracting investment and
(Continued on page 22)The 3rd Delegates Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) took place yesterday under the theme “United Representation to Achieve Social and Economic Progress”. The main focus of the event was to heal the rift of the trade union movement in Guyana and discuss the role unions can play in improving the social and economic progress of the country.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in his address to the delegates and observers noted that the FITUG was meeting at an interesting time of challenging issues, when changes may be required. Pointing to the recent international economic and financial crises, he said that most of the hardship was felt by the working people, and included bankers and companies that folded.
Hinds observed that although the worst seems to have passed, there are questions that a second dip might be on the way, adding that some persons are sensing the approach of some significant change in the international arena. He pointed out that the old basis for most economic activity, growth and development is that the demand for material goods would keep rising, and there would always be growth in the production of goods and services.
He stressed that there is a nagging question about the limits of what the environment can supply and receive, particularly with regard to climate change. This, he explained, could affect one of the fundamental bases of economic activity, that there are no limits to growth, development, production and consumption. However, on a hopeful note, he said that these issues may not have to be addressed now, but in another fifty years or so.
Speaking on a nation’s progress after Independence, the Prime Minister noted that countries do not really proceed until the politicians and fighters from that period have withered and fallen away. He added that when countries become independent, the generation involved in the struggle, is often taken up with the act, and they may have taken stances that may not have been adaptable with independence.
“We are now in the position of the previous owners. Now there has to be different answers to questions since we are in a different position than we were then,” he said.
“The way we formulate our position as working people is restraining. Certainly workers have the same ability and potential and are expected to contribute to the success of their enterprises just as anyone else,” he declared, adding that achievement of the workplace is just as important as pay. “The posture we have as unions, constrains us to realising to our satisfaction of the achievements at the workplace.
Head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Komal Chand informed the delegates that if the union is not strong enough, the members, the rank and file, will have to make it strong.
Pointing out that the recession is going into the second or third year in some developing countries, Chand said that with hardly any signs of recovery, workers there are losing their jobs and being forced to accept lower pay, and new pensioners have to wait longer to become eligible. In Guyana, Chand said, there can be no cutbacks.
President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan, said the union executive recognises the need to embrace other trade unions that are weaker. He threw out an invitation for other unions to get onboard with FITUG. Duncan stated that FITUG does not hide, but comes out in the open in support of the workers. He cited the union’s support of the Rusal workers and the move to become a member of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and the International Labour Federation.
Duncan also pointed out the importance of workers’ education and the role of women in the labour movement. The union leader asserted that young people also play a positive role in the movement, and it is with this in mind, that the union will be moving to establish the FITUG Youth Arm.
Outlining other areas and issues supported by the labour movement, Duncan pointed out that the FITUG has supported the administration’s fight against child labour.
Referring to the theme of the conference, Duncan said the FITUG has been trying to do this for the past five years, and has been calling for unity of the trade union movement at nearly every public forum. He threw out the offer that if other movements did not want to come under the FITUG umbrella, they could still join the body as a trade union.
Duncan stated that trade unions have to work with the private sector in harmony for the development of the country, adding that while FITUG is strong, there is the need to get stronger.
Delivering the feature address and issuing several challenges to the delegates of the four unions that make up FITUG, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, outlined the history of the trade union movement in Guyana from pre-independence to current times. He spoke of the vision of former President Cheddi Jagan, of the need for statesmanship to heal the rift of trade unions in Guyana, and its development. He pointed to ethnic polarisation in the early times of post-independence and the need, then and now, to apply the law to support workers’ rights.
Ramkarran also defended FITUG’s stance of supporting the views of the administration and its apparent involvement in politics. He stressed that the days of captive trade unions and captive trade union leaders “which are forced to make their choices based on political consideration” are long gone.
“There is nothing wrong with trade unionists having political views and prosecuting those views,” Ramkarran said, adding that this situation exists worldwide and what also exists, is that these organisations must represent the interests of their members first and foremost. He opined that the FITUG has not faltered in any way in representing the interest of its members.
Ramkarran noted that it is important to recognise that Guyana’s workers are woefully under organised, adding that a serious deficiency is that too few belong to trade unions.
“The world is changing and so must trade unions. The old rhetoric must give way to new reality,” declared Ramkarran.
Pointing out that Guyana needs investments of all kinds, Ramkarran added that trade unions and workers also need investments of all kinds.
“While not compromising on workers’ rights and interests, trade unions must assist in creating an environment in Guyana which is conducive to attracting investment and increasing productivity,” Ramkarran said.
He suggested the setting up of a partnership which would accomplish these objectives.
The Speaker of the National Assembly stated that FITUG needs to utilise Parliamentary Committees, to join the national debate on the direction of economic and social policies. He referred to the Committees of Economic and Social Services. Doing this he says, will give the movement a chance to keep up with the development as well as monitoring state policies.
Focusing on the challenges of the economic recession, he said that polices have failed time and again and until new ones are put in place developing countries will find it difficult to recover and generate economic growth.
“Guyana will require the full co-operation of all forces in the society including FITUG and the trade unionists, to assist in charting an agreed course that will have to exploit our advantages to avoid the vagaries of economic dislocation in the developed countries.”
Ramkarran pledged to continue to support policies that would ensure workers’ rights and expressed confidence in the workers of Guyana. “By your efforts I will see Guyana rise to better heights,” he concluded. (Ursulla Ramdayal)

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