GTUC calls for reconstitution of Public Service Appellate Tribunal

Dec 16, 2011 News

The Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) is calling on newly elected President, Donald Ramotar to ensure the reconstitution of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, which has not been in operation for over a decade.
This is according to GTUC President Norris Witter, during a recent interview with this publication. Witter emphasised that the non-constitution of that Tribunal has made it difficult for aggrieved Public Servants to seek redress against the state; as such their rights are being transgressed.
Witter related that in the past, on numerous occasions, both the GTUC and the Guyana Public Service Union made appeals for the reconstitution of the body but nothing was done. He enlightened that effective operations of both entities have been adversely affected without the Tribunal.
He asserted that the absence of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal could be considered as anti-working class, unjust, unfair and oppressive.
According to the Public Service Appellate Tribunal Act, “A member is to be appointed by the President by instrument in writing from among persons appearing to him to be qualified as having had experience of, and shown capacity in, matters relating to administration, personnel management or public affairs.”
However, the former President Bharrat Jagdeo for years did not appointment any member of the Appellate Tribunal.
Witter stressed that during the Jagdeo regime, the absence of the Appellate Tribunal was one of the many strategies used to oppress Public Servants. Those who were disciplined vindictively by the State, were not afforded the opportunity to an appeal by the Tribunal, which could have seen a reverse of the previous judgement.
Nonetheless, Public Servants and their Unions could have sought redress through the Court but that is quite costly since one would have to retain a lawyer. Witter noted that the judicial system is dysfunctional and its independence is questionable. Therefore, many Public Servants who were aggrieved are reluctant to take their matters to Court.
Witter pointed out that during the recent November 28 General and Regional Elections, a young woman claimed that she was fired from a Government agency owing to her political affiliation. He insisted that had the Appellate Tribunal been in operation, the aggrieved worker could have sought redress.

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GTUC calls for reconstitution of Public Service Appellate Tribunal

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