Employers also need to take a stand

Jul 26, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – A local radio station _ I really cannot say – was reporting yesterday on the front page headlines of the Kaieteur News. And it read the call which is being made by Glenn Lall for there to be a ‘Day of Standstill’ on Monday, July 31, 2023.

One of the announcers, however, took it upon herself to offer an invited comment on that particular news item. She said that she was wondering whether Glenn Lall would be paying those persons who did not work, and what would happen if employers were aggrieved by persons staying from work.

It was the type of myopic and misinformed comment that one has to expect when dealing with such issues. One would have expected better from someone who has been put to relay information to the public and, in so doing, influence public opinion.

While there are bound to be concerns about the financial implications of not working or about job security if persons stay away from work, the bigger picture has to be recognized and acknowledged.

The call for a ‘Day of Standstill’ is not simply of idleness or a bank holiday from work. It is part of a long-term peaceful struggle aimed at achieving wider societal and economic objectives, namely to raise consciousness about the rape of our country’s resources.

The ‘Day of Standstill’ is intended to draw attention to the injustice which has been committed against every citizen of this country. It is an injustice that robs each and every one of us and our children and grandchildren of millions of dollars.

Had Guyana been receiving a fair deal for the exploitation of its resources, there would have been no need for any ‘Day of Standstill’. No need for persons to be working like scavengers. All would have been entitled to a comfortable life and cheque in the post each month to provide for their needs. Instead, it is the foreign investors who are enjoy the ‘sweet’ of Guyana resources while you, the citizens, have to savour the bitter taste of the crumbs that are left behind for you.

One day’s pay is a sacrifice which persons should be willing to make. Glenn Lall will be losing money on that day because this newspaper will not be working and the next day is  major advertised day for the newspaper and it will lose out of those revenues. But that is the price which all of us should be willing to pay for a better future for ourselves and children.

The ‘Day of Standstill’ is not only for workers. It is also for employers. Employers are also citizens and they too have an interest in ensuring that the country’s gets a fair deal for its natural resources.

Indeed, the day can become far more successful if employers take the lead in supporting those members of their staff who make a choice not to work on the ‘Day of Standstill’.  Giving moral support and paid work is one way in which employers can demonstrate that it remains empathetic towards issues that are of concern to their workers. If a worker feels strongly about what is happening to Guyana’s resources, then the employer should support that worker.

When employers acknowledge the significance of the ‘Day of Standstill’ and allow employees to participate without fear of repercussions, it fosters a sense of trust and loyalty among the workforce. Also acknowledging the ‘Day of Standstill’ shows that the employer values the concerns and perspectives of its workforce. It creates an open and respectful environment for dialogue between management and employees on various societal issues.

So let us not have a division between employers and employees on this issue. Both employers and employees should be concerned about economic justice because when there is such justice, employers will enjoy a stable business environment and higher staff morale and productivity. Workers on the other hand will be struggling for a cause that could lead to improvements in their well-being.

Employers should support the ‘Day of Standstill’ by closing their business for the day. This will ensure that workers do not have to fear for their jobs or any repercussions of not working.

Employers too are being asked to help shut the country down for one day. And the more employers come on board, the more successful will be the ‘Day of Standstill’. And employers should not discourage workers who wish to participate in the ‘Day of Standstill’ by employers indicating to them that a decision to participate in such a day is not mandatory but that the employers would respect the wishes of those who wish to participate.

The ‘Day of Standstill’ is a day for all to make a stand. Otherwise, we – employers and employees – will end up on our knees for the remainder of our days.

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

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• headlines, particular, Peeping Tom, Stand, Standstill

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