FITUG upset at absence of Guyanese in Marriott work

In another stinging rebuke for the government, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has come out against the shutout of Guyanese workers from the construction of the Marriott Hotel.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, FITUG, which includes prominent unions like GAWU, the GLU and NAACIE, heaped the blame on the special purposes company set up for the construction, Atlantic Hotels Inc, and not the Chinese contractor, Shanghai Construction Group.

The umbrella labour body which is seen as sympathetic to the Government,   said that blame cannot be cast upon the Chinese contractors, “as all builders and investors seek the most convenient and economical labour force and conditions they can get the most from.”

“FITUG, however, finds fault with the local company, Atlantic Hotel Incorporated (AHI), clearly not insisting that available Guyanese with required skills and expertise be given first consideration for employment in the project and only after exhausting such a recruitment drive, non-Guyanese are considered,” the statement said.

“One telling and significant implication that can emerge from this shortcoming and short-sightedness is the whole question of foreign investors’ employment practices with respect to specific contracts. This consideration can well lead on, one way or the other to other relevant questions about our development thrust, at this time,” FITUG said.

According to the statement, FITUG intends to pursue these questions further and will seek to meet with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant Ministries to be better acquainted with the employment clauses of various agreements entered into. “At the same time we intend to raise our principled stand, the question of the employment of qualified Guyanese to various projects while not disrespecting the contractor’s rights,” it said.

It said that the Marriott Hotel project has attracted unusual controversy and that among the commentaries was one that it was a non-starter. “[In] the recent debate of the project in Parliament, its viability and necessity were questioned. Now that the project, is diligently moving ahead, the contentious ‘employment practices’ has arisen. The government, on the other hand, remains confident that the Marriott project is another step in the development direction, and pointing out that even, at this initial phase, the spin-off activities redound to our economic benefit,” FITUG said.

“While developmental matters are necessarily on-going, the relevant state officials may be well advised to ensure that un-called for blunders are avoided. After all, employment of Guyanese is one of the stated benefits from our many projects of which Marriott is one,” the statement said.

It said that concern over employment comes naturally to those of us who are Trade Union activists “and we must, literally daily, interact with the labouring masses.”

It added that for those who take or support measures – “be they cuts in the National Budget that threaten workers’ jobs or that of the Marriott experiences – we see as unfriendly to workers and their families” noting that the country will hardly go forward in such circumstances.

“FITUG will always stand by the working class in their just struggles and demands. Given their critical role in wealth creation, they deserve greater respect and recognition from the elites of our society,” he said.

FITUG’s position will be seen as an embarrassing blow to the government and AHI – which is headed by its investment point man, Winston Brassington. FITUG is generally seen as aligned to the government but in this case it is at one with the GTUC and other labour groups which have severely criticized the use of Chinese labour only on the hotel.

The statement also comes just a day after the PPP held a press conference and denounced the varied attacks on the use of Chinese labour at Marriott as racist.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul, the Minister of Labour, reported following a site visit yesterday that management of the Marriott construction site said that they have no difficulty employing Guyanese workers if they could find the skills. Gopaul, a former leading light in FITUG union, NAACIE, debunked statements by members of the Opposition which said that the Chinese workers were involved in menial jobs and said that the tasks being done were highly technical in nature. “I am sure at that at some stage of the project Guyanese will be hired. There are times when certain things have to be done if you want development. We would not want to impede development,” he told Stabroek News, noting that terms agreed to in contracts and agreements should be observed.

Construction began at the project site in August 2012 and it is scheduled to be completed by August 2014. The project is said to be three months ahead of schedule because of the advanced technology being used on the site.