GUYANA | My meeting with the Government- “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, October 2023 - Last Friday I was part of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) delegation that, at the government’s request, participated in a meeting, dubbed “Budgetary Consultation.” This meeting had nothing to do with negotiating increased wages/salaries and improved working conditions. GTUC has no authority to negotiate these in the public or private sector.

GTUC is an umbrella organisation charged with the responsibility to influence and advance the political, economic and social well-being of society based on international conventions, the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, and to ensure the protection and advancement of the rights and well-being of every citizen.

Our affiliates benefit from such advocacy.

Today I reiterate the call made Friday to representatives of the Government of its obligation to respect and engage in collective bargaining with the unions that represent teachers and public sector workers, consistent with Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution and Section 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act.

The point was made very clear by the GTUC to the government delegation.

Our presentation to the Government could be read in The Voice of Labour’s column of the publication.

I am well aware the Jagdeo/Ali regime is coming under increasing pressure, local and international, to improve their method of governance. Equally, I am aware the regime is engaged in acts to give the impression it is inclusive, not racist and discriminatory.

A meeting with the GTUC and its affiliates is not indicative of inclusivity, nor could such a meeting be used to say there isn’t racism and discrimination taking place on President Ali’s watch. The evidence of poor governance abounds.

The regime meeting with us is not an acceptance it is prepared to meet with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and engage in collective bargaining.

The GTUC emphasized the importance of having constructive and continuous engagement between the trade unions and government. 

We must continue to hold their feet to the fire to ensure the rights of these workers are protected, as for any worker who is part of a bargaining unit, be it government as the employer or whomever.

Those teachers who met with President Ali should be mindful that seeking to extract from the regime what they consider “benefits’” is an act of actively engaging in undermining your strength and rights to join a trade union of choice and engage in collective bargaining as enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.

Assenting any form of engagement that transgresses your rights, whether they be in and/or out of the workplace carry implications for the transgressing of other rights.

From what transpired at that meeting the issue of collective bargaining is not within the forte of the government delegation present, but a matter the GTUC’s concluded is singularly determined by Bharrat Jagdeo.

This nation is reminded it was Jagdeo, as Minister of Finance, in 1999 who resisted the public sector unions’ call for increased wages/salaries and improved working conditions that led to the 57-day strike which saw police shooting and injuring workers in the street, reminiscent of what happened in 1948 to sugar workers under the colonial authority.

It was Jagdeo’s advice to Government not to pay the workers. The workers’ resistance led to the Armstrong Arbitration and Award. From 1999 the industrial relations climate in Guyana has been on a downward slide, and behind this slide are the hands of Jagdeo.

The tenure of the meeting gave an indication the government delegation is more open to consider the National Insurance Scheme’s (NIS) deficit which was part of the GTUC’s proposal.

While there seems to be some empathy to address this burdening issue, the GTUC will not be surprised if the regime ignores the effort to sustain the country’s only social safety net that offers payment to workers in times of sickness, maternity, industry, death, survivors and old age.

The PPP as a party and government is still being influenced by Jagdeo anti-worker, anti- poor and anti-vulnerable beliefs. Whilst Ali is the president by constitution, he is often reminded by Jagdeo’s action who is really in charge of the government.

Before leaving the meeting, I told the government side: we can disagree- they can call me names and I will call them names- but there must be continuous consultation on issues that impact the people’s well-being, and the proof of the pudding in our meeting will be in the eating.

That means, whether the meeting held last Friday will bear fruit and lead to more meaningful engagement or it was just another photo opportunity which confirms the opinion of many.

GTUC went to that meeting in good faith and consistent with our constitutional responsibilities as outlined, specifically in Articles 38 and 149C. I will not delude myself, however, if nothing meaningfully emerges, but the GTUC is content it has discharged its responsibility to workers in advocacy for their interests to help shape the 2024 National Budget, an engagement the government did not have with us for the last two years.

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