Dear Editor,
Let me start by congratulating the President and his Permanent Secretary for the part they are playing in the lives of workers in this country. Don’t let us rule out the Minister of Labour. They are so concerned that they go overboard without a paddle.
During the opening of the New Skeldon Estate they were heard telling the sugar workers that they must use the procedures in settling disputes instead of strikes. Again during the strike of sugar workers last month they echoed the same sentiment. I also noted in KN of November 11, the Minister of Labour was reported as saying that after conciliation proceedings between the Guyana Sugar Corporation and the Guyana Agriculture & General Workers Union were declared deadlocked on October 29, the Chief Labour Officer decided to impose compulsory arbitration by virtue of the powers conferred upon him by section 4 (1) (a) of the Labour Act, Cap. 98:01. This arbitration is now in progress. Noteworthy is the fact this has been the scenario for the last four years or so.
On the other hand these very persons are involved in the same or similar circumstances with the Guyana Public Service Union, but their reactions are different. The Permanent Secretary meets with the union and tells them what the government is giving the workers an increase in salary. Though several reminders are sent to him to continue discussions there is no response.
Appeals are made to the President, since he is the only one who makes decisions in the government, but the same deafness. Several requests are made to the Minister of Labour but he becomes invisible. Come year end all concerned become vocal, visible and cry out about the blessings they were able to bestow on public servants for Christmas.
This is when the businesses and the tax man laugh and the public servants cry.
More interestingly, at the same time sugar workers were being taken care of, the government was bashing the union at Thomas Lands. When will public servants put a stop to this blatant disregard and disrespect? Public servants it is time to regain your space. Stand up and let those in authority know that you are human beings.
Yours faithfully,
David Thomas
