A call from Labour to treat all workers equally

Nov 04, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), as a matter of principle, calls on government to treat all workers equally and eschew any practice of double standard. It is duty of every government to respect the rights of all workers, in all instances, and at all times. Double standards in politics, governance and decision making retard a nation’s development since it only ensures disharmony among groups/citizens and divisions of the working class. As such it must be ruthlessly stamped out from our body politic.
The parties in government today when in opposition were vocal in condemnation of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) mistreatment of workers and the PPP mishandling of the matter. They made this part of their campaign, and promised to ensure justice should they be elected. GTUC is aware that efforts were made by Minister Simona Broomes to visit BCGI but she was hindered from doing so. GTUC also engaged Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence more than once requesting enforcement of the Laws of Guyana consistent with her responsibility and oath of office. The government’s indecision and/or apparent complicity in this egregious matter require explanation.
GTUC has taken note of actions to engage the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) soon after a strike; a move that clearly signals to workers at BCGI, traditional public sector and elsewhere that similar action may be required of them in order to have their rights upheld. In a month’s time it will mark six years of struggle by BCGI workers to have their grievances attended to consistent with the laws.
Given that government sets the tone and shoulders principal responsibility to enforce the Laws for all, it ought to be mindful that the seeming lack of concern for some workers pose threat to the claim of a national unity policy. The call is reiterated for the right to collective bargaining to be respected for all unionized workers, not some. Equally as government moves to address matters in sugar such a policy must be done for public servants, bauxite workers, transport and harbor, and others. Workers cannot be expected to give of their best when their fundamental rights and freedoms are under constant assault.
Not lost sight of is that while the government correctly condemns Bharrat Jagdeo who during his presidency thought he had within his power the authority to cede any part of Guyana to Venezuela, it remains silent/complicit on the part of Guyana that is ‘sold out’ to the Russian oligarchs, who are allies of President Madura and Jagdeo. For as Jagdeo toyed with a proposal in favour of Venezeula, residents of Aroraima and Kawkawani and BCGI workers are living and working under adverse conditions imposed by BCGI of which the Government of Guyana (GoG) is part owner.
Government is also reminded that contrary to statements by officials that the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service will address wages and salary and working conditions, this body has no power or authority to do so. The Trade Union Recognition Act, Section 23 (1) is very clear on how matters of this nature ought to be treated and the laws, which have a unifying role, must be respected at all times. This principle too must hold true for sugar workers, notwithstanding the Commission of Inquiry into the industry.
The public sector is vital to government’s efficient delivery of goods and services and national development. Yet this sector sees members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) denied the right to collective bargaining for more than a decade. Though this transgression was condemned by the administration when in opposition, it has continued under its stewardship as seen in the 2015 wage/salary determination. This nation is reminded that as Guysuco continues to receive monthly bailout from the State coffers, this money includes the taxes of police officers, public servants, teachers, nurses and bauxite workers who are toiling under conditions of service deserving of improvement, still struggling for a living wage, and/or have the right to collective bargaining respected.
Attention is also drawn to the PPP’s support for sugar workers’ industrial action, which Clement Rohee deemed necessary and called on the public to support. When the PPP was in office it did not consider what is good for sugar workers was equally good for public servants, teachers, bauxite workers, etc. Instead, laws were violated and some workers’ rights were transgressed with impunity.
Guyana must move forward and this cannot happen in an environment where the maxim in George Orwell’s Animal Farm “all are equal but some are more equal than some” holds sway. The APNU+AFC administration is put on notice that citizens/workers did not cast their ballot for an exchange and they shall be held accountable, even moreso that their contract with the electorate was made on the commitment to do better than the PPP.
Lincoln Lewis
General-Secretary
Guyana Trade Union Council

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