Dear Editor,
In examining the performance of the Granger-Nagamootoo government, one gets the clear impression that President Granger pronounces on the concepts and areas the administration will embrace, and in so doing, leaves to the ministers the task of developing and implementing the programmes and activities to realise the objectives. It is noted that since this administration came to office it has been lurching from one crisis to another, with each becoming another ulcer. It is important to note that while some ministers may make a genuine effort to correct their mistakes, some are prepared to stay in the mode of violating laws and
time-honoured principles and trampling on citizens and workers’ rights.
The President has echoed words to the effect that the citizens must be treated with respect and the laws must be respected. The most recent of such statements attended the police shooting of citizens, where in effect he said that those who are accused of criminal activities must be brought in alive and placed before the courts. In fact, this supports the position that people are important and must be treated in accordance with established laws, time-honoured principles, conventions and charters. One can have very good ideas, develop a programme and a plan of action, but it can never be implemented without the people and the people’s involvement, and this has to be done within the confines of the aforementioned tenets.
This brings us to two major pronouncements made by the administration within the last week that impacted on organised and un-organised labour. The ministers involved are Keith Scott who told this nation, including the Guyana Trades Union Congress via the media, that he wants one May Day Rally, while Winston Jordan in his Budget presentation announced that the government will address wages and salaries through the process of collective bargaining.
When Guyana attained independence in 1966, the Burnham administration in the said year ratified two International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions:-Conventions No 87 and No 98. Convention No 87 addresses freedom of association and speaks of non-interference by the government in the internal affairs of workers and employers’ organisations. Convention No 98 addresses the right to collective bargaining. The Guyana Constitution enshrines these conventions in Article 147, which falls under the section identified as, ‘Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.’
One would expect in respect of this historical move by the Government of Guyana, the current ministers would have taken time to understand not only their content but also their spirit and intent.
Minister Scott who has responsibility for Labour is on record saying that he is no stranger to trade unionism, a claim the trade union community has no knowledge of. This notwithstanding, what is more of concern is this minister’s position to openly breach conventions, the constitution, and time-honoured principles and practices in furtherance of an agenda to seek to direct the business of the trade union community. This will not be countenanced. Conversely, Minister Jordan while making a pronouncement on wages and salaries in the 2015 Budget, in 2016 moved to correct this violation by announcing the government will respect collective bargaining and meet with the unions shortly to engage in this process.
A country where the laws are not respected will see disunity and mayhem. It is for this reason the President and ministers of government are encouraged to operate within the confines of the law, and seek advice as they move to implement every element in their programme. Setting this tone for the society would augur well for national unity and social cohesion. As such there must be efforts to cease operating on gut-feelings or egos. It is understandable mistakes can be made. What is not understandable is when mistakes are made because no time was taken to understand and respect the parameters guiding actions, and the refusal to correct same.
Workers and citizens are called upon to hold the feet of the trade union and government leadership to the fire to make sure modalities are put in place for the commencement of negotiations. In addition they should see to it that government upholds its role in labour to ensure a stable industrial environment, which is only possible by respecting citizens and workers’ rights and the rule of law. There are enough grievances affecting various groups of workers and Minister Scott would be well advised to focus his attention there consistent with the stated tenets.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
