The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), representing some 30,000 workers, has welcomed the government’s “somewhat overdue” plans to set a national wage.
A press release from FITUG on Wednesday said the umbrella body appreciated the Office of the President declaration that a team of ministers will be established to decide upon the elements contributing to what will determine such a wage and upon the actual wage itself.
It added that FITUG would like this crucial working-class issue implemented within the next three months since the implementation of a national minimum wage would generate tremendous goodwill.
It reminded that at its last conference, held November 7, 2012, a resolution was passed calling on the government to introduce legislation to create a national minimum wage and also to provide for the annual improvement of such wage in order to maintain workers’ standard of living.
The release said that FITUG was heartened that the National Tripartite Committee, comprising representatives from the government, the private sector and the labour movement, was strongly supportive and recommended that the national minimum wage not be less than the present public sector minimum wage.
