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Zone 32 bus operators say being illegally forced to pay monies

Mar 25, 2011 News

– claim association uses police to threaten them

Several Zone 32 minibus operators yesterday refused to continue paying monies to what they described as an illegal association and said that consequently they are being threatened and charged by police.
Almost 100 of the minibuses have since joined up with the United Minibus Union (UMU) and vowed to take stronger action.
According to Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir, the collection of monies by any association from its member must be from a resolution and should be voluntary in nature.
It was drama outside the Kaieteur News’ office yesterday, as President of the Zone 32 Minibus Association, James Kowsil, hurriedly left after being questioned in a heated manner (by those making the complaints) about the collection of monies.
On Wednesday, several of the minibus owners, who work the Parika, East Bank Essequibo to Georgetown route, claimed that thousands of dollars are being collected daily, but no one is told where it goes. This, they say, has been happening for the past few years.
Kaieteur News was told that for every trip to the Stabroek Market park, a minibus operator pays $160. That same operator is also paying $200 when the vehicle goes to Parika. Assuming 200 minibuses make daily calls on the Parika park, this translates to about $40,000 on that end alone.
Yesterday, after several of the owners came to the newspaper to complain, Kowsil was called to give his side of the story.
According to the official, the association is fully legal and has a proper membership register, as well as minutes of past meetings. He admitted that members gave their “oral” permission for monies to be collected, but could not recall whether this was reflected in the minutes of a particular meeting. This happened a few months ago.
However, the minibus owners insisted that the monies have been collected for a few years now and operators that refuse are being victimised and charged by the police for soliciting passengers illegally.
“I personally don’t collect the money. Who could authorise an association to collect money? The people have to pay a subscription to the wardens running the park.”
It was explained that the Zone 32 park operates on a turn system being monitored by a warden at Parika and at Stabroek Market.
Kowsil said that the bank account of the association had been closed and the monies collected were being paid to the two wardens.
Told that his story contradicted the claims of the minibus owners – who said that this has been occurring for a number of years – Kowsil was adamant that he could not “remember” anything to that effect.
“I am not going to stand here and argue with these people. All of them are defaulters. Let them go and see the President.”
The official said that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Home Affairs Minister and the Divisional Commander before.
“I am saying that all of these people are defaulters… placed before the courts before… and will be going again in a short while. Thank you…I am leaving.”
The official then left, despite being told that there were more questions over the collected monies.
Consultant to UMU, Ronald Backer, disclosed that almost 100 minibuses from Zone 32 have joined the body.
“We are telling them not to pay any monies to the wardens. We will try to meet the Minister of Home Affairs.”
According to UMU’s President, Eon Andrews, who was also with the minibus owners, he has received several complaints about the various forms of harassment by wardens.
Contacted yesterday, Minister Nadir said that for any such association to collect monies, if it is true, it has to be agreed by way of a resolution by its members and this must be reflected in its records.
Additionally, any payment has to be voluntary.

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