Oil companies and unionizing, car park or beer park and that million-dollar cheque

Dec 06, 2020 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

>>>Encouraging Events, Disturbing Development<<<

Kaieteur News – Only the lowest class of callous, corporate scavengers possesses this kind of mentality, think of their workers this way, and operate with such contempt for Guyanese workers.
Only in a place like Guyana, our leaders allow such disturbing developments to take hold with impunity from the Russians (workers) and the Chinese (airport), who now want more money for the airport completion. If we have to kick these people out, then let us do so, and send a clear message to all foreigners as to what our investment climate demands. That is, treat us with the respect and dignity that we deserve as society, worker, and place of laws, and there will be a mutually satisfactory partnership, a flourishing one. It cannot be otherwise, or then the door will slam shut in face and to the behind on the way out. Our standard and practice have to be: this is the way, there is no other way. So, the word must be: shape up or ship out.
With this as context, I was encouraged to learn that the Government has warned oil companies not to stand in the way of workers wishing to unionize. Why not? What is there to fear? Why do all these foreign companies come here, talk a sweet game in chorus with Guyanese politicians, and then move on to do their own thing, by operating as a law onto themselves? Our workers are abused, our laws breached (more than labour laws), and it is the regular angry sounds that lead nowhere. This political song and dance must be a thing of the past. Our response must be unmistakable: obey and deliver; if not oust them and send them packing. The time for these outside companies to come here and behave like slave traders and plantation owners are over (or should be). Our workers deserve better; our self-respect calls for more wisdom and more firmness in dealing with violators and abusers.
I am always troubled by the selectivity in how we approach enforcing our laws and rules. The latest instance involves the car park formerly allocated to East Bank hire cars. The drivers were removed to ‘clear the road’ to make space. The disturbing thing is that no sooner had the car park been mostly emptied of the East Bank hire car drivers that it was filled by people selling beer.
In a jiffy, the car park was transformed into a beer park. Now the displaced drivers, scratching their heads on where to find a place to operate from and earn an honest living, are complaining. I think rightly so.
Sellers with the familiar ‘half-fridges’ ply their wares in a usually well-populated area. The space that was supposedly cleared is more clogged with imbibers; and the evidence from such activities -empty bottles, urine, food remains, and general litter – inevitably make passage and commuting a bit more of a challenge. And because the Christmas season is here, which is traditionally a month-long celebration, the ordinary pedestrian traveler is forced to navigate what could be an obstacle course.
Meanwhile, police officers are reported to be patrolling, but no effort is made to ‘clear the road’ which was the stated initial objective. Reports have been made to the Mayor and senior police commanders. It would be encouraging, if what disturbs is rectified quickly. Just clear the space.
Last, there was that US$1M deposit in a city bank. Just a few weeks ago, I made a considerably smaller deposit, and it became the equivalent of walking through a minefield to get matters resolved.
That was for a much tinier amount in Guyana dollars. Yet here is this deposit of US1M and it is given smooth passage and good to go. It disturbs that ordinary citizens are made to walk the plank for routine banking issues, while big names with big games involving big money get a big welcome.
I am disturbed that this is how selectively our vaunted AML procedures are implemented.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Oil companies and unionizing, car park or beer park and that million-dollar cheque

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