Trade Unions call for re-establishment of Labour Ministry

May 02, 2017 News

…as hundreds observe ‘May Day’

By Murtland Haley

Trade Unions yesterday took a united stance as they commemorated ‘May Day’ or ‘Labour Day’ with a road march and rally in Georgetown which began at Parade Ground and culminated at the National Park.
The event was organised through the collaboration of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), and executed under the theme: ‘Organising – Necessary prerequisite in building a strong united trade union movement’.
The march began at approximately 08:00hrs and workers marched along Middle Street from Parade Ground onto Main Street, headed south on to Avenue of the Republic, then to D’Urban Street, after which the procession turned left on Louisa Row and proceeded into Albert Street before it concluded in the National Park around 11:00hrs.
Some of the trade unions which were represented include the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), GTUC, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU), Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union (GPTWU), Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), General Workers Union (GWU) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU).
Despite instances of brief rainfall, hundreds of workers walked briskly and jubilantly to sound of music provided by two steel bands and sound systems carried by trucks as they celebrated their victories, commemorated their history and rallied for change.
General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis, one of the many speakers at the event, called on the government to re-establish a Ministry of Labour.
After the APNU+AFC coalition took office, the Labour Ministry was absorbed into the Ministry of Social Protection and labour issues are being dealt with by a Department of Labour headed by Minister within the Ministry, Keith Scott.
Lewis stressed that a Labour Ministry is important for shaping and executing labour policies that affect all workers, past, present and potential, “In other words, we the people.”
He said that this among other requests would not be a challenge for President David Granger, given his stated commitment and desire for trade union unity. According to Lewis, what the President wants was showcased yesterday with the unified presence of the trade union movement.
Lewis added, “If they (government) are still friends of the trade union movement as they were prior to 2015, they must prove it. We speak with one voice on these issues.”
He said that today, the trade union movement must not exist in isolation but rather function in an environment of politicians, employers and workers. Lewis explained to the audience that as unionists, they are also impacted by domestic as well as international laws, agreements, conventions, rules and practices.
Based on this, Lewis said that unionists will need to develop the ability to manage all these varying influences and actors that are most challenging for the success of the trade union movement.
Further, he said, “For not only must we interact and manage these relationships, we must, to a great extent, resist some of the negative influences that do not serve our best interest and which seek to undermine the strength of the union and our ability to organise as a force for change .”
The veteran trade unionist said that unlike politicians who are interested in advancing the positions of labour when they are in opposition only to turn on labour with an effort to destroy the strength and organising efforts when in government, the trade union movement must remain constant and purely driven by their interest in making better the lives and conditions of the working class.
“No genuine trade unionist should make any apology when it comes to standing firm and committed to struggles for workers’ rights which are human rights. I, Lincoln Lewis, make none. If those before me such as Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Jane-Phillips Gay, Frank Leslie Walcott, Alexander Bustamante, and Uriah Butler had made apologises or were timid in their commitment, and not stood up, we could not be where we are today. Theirs is an example, tried, tested and proven that we must be proud of and resolve to uphold.”
Following Lewis was President of GAWU, Komal Chand who said that within the observances, workers must recall the sad beginnings which inspired Labour Day.
“Labour Day has its origins in the fight for an eight-hour work-day which saw a major struggle in 1886 that involved some 80,000 workers in Chicago, USA. Several of the leaders of that struggle were sent to the gallows, scores were arrested and imprisoned, but that heroic struggle inspired the Second International, a Socialist Organisation, to adopt a resolution in 1887 for May 1st to be observed as International Workers Day.”
He said that this year’s observances were characterized by unity and togetherness. Chand added that the challenges which face workers demand unity. According to Chand, in recent months there has been improved collaboration and co-operation among trade unions. However, he said that there is still a long road to travel and yesterday’s celebration was but one pinnacle along a winding road.
“Comrades, Workers’ Day 2017 greets the Guyanese working-people with rising challenges, mounting pressure, and burdens piled on our already overburdened backs. It is disheartening for us of FITUG to record that the promise of a ‘Good Life’ has so quickly been replaced with a depressing state-of-affairs. “
He appealed to the audience that they must express their concerns over the nation’s economic fortunes and the growing recognition that the economy is in a tailspin. Chand also touched on the sugar industry and said that it is disheartening for FITUG that in spite of the very good prospects for success and viability, the APNU+AFC administration is pressing ahead to minimize the industry.
“FITUG shares the view that the industry can be turned around and be made viable and sustainable. We hold that the industry has possibilities for its sustenance and success. We hold that with the proper elements – the present workforce, a capable management and with considered innovative measures – Government support will be required for a period only as the industry moves to turnaround itself.”
Moreover, Chand said that today’s conditions call for active engagement and urged those in attendance to join with the working class of the world to usher in a new day for mankind. He said that the world which Guyanese envisage is founded on peace, ecological responsibility, social and economic justice and free of oppression and economic exploitation.
Also representing the GTUC was its President, Coretta McDonald who also serves as the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union.
She committed herself to being a strong woman to lead the GTUC in the direction it will be heading. McDonald said that the GTUC is engaging in deeper discussions with FITUG aimed at reuniting and healing the wound that was inflicted on the movement, so that both bodies could stand together, recognising that the plight of their members are the same.
The GTUC President also directed comments to fellow trade union leaders, reminding them that they must all seek to display characteristics that are worthy of being a good leader; honesty, reliability, respectful, tolerant, tactful and accountable.
Also delivering commemorative and congratulatory remarks were Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Amna Ally, former GTUC President, Norris Witter, Latoya Drakes of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) who represented the youth, and Women’s representative, Karen Van Sluytman-Corbin.