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Education cannot take place in a dirty environment – says GPSU
A section of the sweeper cleaners as they picketed last month
The woes of sweeper cleaners in Guyana are slowly being laid to rest as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) remain in discussion with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
“Education cannot take place in a dirty environment,” said second Vice President of GPSU, Dawn Gardener, on Tuesday.
It was disclosed that the MOE is presently engaging the GPSU to rectify the matter.
Ms Gardener said, “They are looking at regularizing the system.” The measures relate to the hours and payments for all sweeper/cleaners regardless of if they are on contract or not.
She added that these workers were encouraged to do their jobs for the new school term and they complied. As a result, students and pupils across Guyana were able to meet a clean classroom on September 4.
The Union intends to work tirelessly to ensure that these workers receive ‘benefits’ which include National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and others.
The workers have reportedly received payment for only the time they would have provided services during the August holiday, which was an approximate two weeks.
On August 15, the sweeper/cleaners attached to the MOE Guyana took to the streets to picket for better wages. They expressed concern about financing new school supplies, securing food and providing financial support to their children, since most of them were single parents.
The workers chanted, “No money no wuk!” “No one week pay, no two week pay!” “No lil bit money!” “September school gun dutty!”
The cleaners seized the opportunity to highlight the fact that they were supposed to work for one week during August. They further explained that a visit to their respective banks revealed a rather depressing situation.
While some workers complained that they were paid $5000, others were paid as little as $2000. It was rather disheartening since some of those workers related that they “almost cleaned the whole school.”
This matter presents itself in Guyana at a time where projects, like Marriott are sponging on taxpayers’ money, the union said. Sources explained that it is a “waste of money and time”. The Marriott continues to steal $40Million from revenues which can be used to give these much deserved workers a better salary.
Many complained that this amount can be utilized in the education department to give Guyanese children a better opportunity at being informed. It was even highlighted that it can be used to advance the health sector as well.
An approximate $58,984,320 is usually paid to these sweeper/cleaners on a monthly basis. This amount was significantly decreased during August, as a result of the workers being denied the month’s salary. They were instead paid for the services they provided during the week they performed duties.
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