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GPSU rejects “arbitrary” fingerprinting for new timekeeping system

Apr 08, 2014 News

…advises workers not to comply

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has again had cause to write the government over what it says is the continued violation of public servants rights; pointing out this time to the “arbitrary implementation of the biological clock system” which involves fingerprinting state workers; “without the necessary consultation from the workers’ representing body.”
Senior Industrial Officer, Dennis English, told Kaieteur News yesterday that despite numerous pieces of correspondence to the government, requesting them to desist from fingerprinting workers without speaking to the GPSU since it violates workers’ privacy and violates their conditions of service, the government is set to fully implement the biometric clock system by May 1, before which, a trial period will commence April 7 (yesterday).
English said that the GPSU is against the arbitrary fingerprinting exercise and is uncomfortable with the clocking system since no consultations were held with the union, and because the agency believes that current timekeeping systems are still useful; just poorly managed.
English continued that the system is to regulate workers’ punctuality; tardiness, absenteeism etc. However, “there are other systems in place. Implementing such a system will not change the time workers come to work or attend work, but the existing systems need strategic management.”
Towards the end of February, English, in a missive to Public Service Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally said, “Certain locations were already put under duress and their finger prints were taken…The union is concerned as to the real motive of this new development and would be advising the employees not to comply.”
Another letter to the Agriculture’s Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, George Jervis, reiterated that the union “strongly objects to the arbitrary fingerprinting of the staff of your Ministry on the grounds that it conflicts with their conditions of service and is also an invasion of their privacy.”
In that letter, English said, “The Union takes note of the explanation given by Management towards this matter but maintains that the arbitrary finger printing of the staff conflicts with their conditions of service and also an invasion of their privacy.”
While these letters were forwarded to President Donald Ramotar and to relevant sector Ministers, English said that no meaningful reply was given despite the union’s expression of urgency in relation to the matter.
English said that the union is in the process of determining its next move since the government is bent on implementing the biometric system despite the union’s concern. He reiterated that workers should not undergo the finger printing exercise.
The GPSU and the government have for years been bumping heads on specific issues such as the “arbitrary” imposition of annual increases on public servants. GPSU officials argue that for more than 10 years now the government has been imposing increases without the necessary collective bargaining agreement.
Last year’s five cent imposition caused countrywide protests which lasted for days. Arguments even rose over the government allegedly misappropriating money set out for the state workers and the combined opposition promised to scrutinize the matter.
The GPSU promised to continue its protest exercises but claims that it is currently in the “fanning out’ process.
The government has been saying during the ongoing budget debates that it is looking forward to collective bargaining with the union this year.

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