Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence yesterday defended her decision to send Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) Director Ann Greene home on leave, while stating that she verbally attacked Junior Minister Simona Broomes during a meeting on Wednesday last.
Lawrence told Stabroek News that Greene’s behaviour was unacceptable and that she had disrespected both herself and Broomes. She stated that Greene verbally attacked Broomes and refused to listen to her (Lawrence) even when she told her to stop.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday chastised the two ministers for what it said is an “early sign of intolerance,” which ended in Greene being sent home.
The union, in a statement, said the action of the minister, who has responsibility for labour, displays an inability to adequately respond to and resolve industrial conflict within the ministry, thus raising serious concerns about the type of industrial environment which will be cultivated.
A source had told Stabroek News on Friday that Greene was sent home on 36 days leave after asking Minister Broomes “to build a relationship with the Child Protection [CC&PA] staffs since they were hurting from previous comments of hers peddled in the media.”
The source stated that Greene approached Broomes in a meeting while discussing plans for the agency and asked her to build relationships with the staff since she had formerly declared that the “nicest thing in Child Protection was the paintings on the walls.”
The source indicated that Broomes told Greene that she was a minster and could not tell her what to do.
However, Lawrence said yesterday, “Nothing like that happened. Her [Greene’s] behaviour was unprofessional and she needs time to reflect on it.”
‘No other option’
Lawrence and the ministry later issued two separate statements, which both said Greene had acted unprofessionally.
Lawrence’s statement condemned what it called “the unprofessional manner and discourteous behaviour” of Greene and added that such behaviour would not be tolerated in the ministry.
“The Minister wishes to remind all Officers to behave responsibly and to adhere to the Code of Ethics which demands professionalism in their discharge of service to the nation,” the statement added.
According to the ministry’s statement, due to Greene’s behaviour, Minister Lawrence was left with no other option than to send her on annual leave for 36 days.
“The Ministry views Ms Greene’s conduct and actions as grossly unprofessional, constituting insubordination, contemptuous and untenable,” it said, while pointing out that her conduct and attitude towards both ministers, but Minister Broomes in particular, and in full view of ministry staff, has been deemed to be unacceptable.
The statement said that during a familiarisation tour of the ministry and its various departments undertaken by Lawrence and Broomes, Greene had refused to acknowledge the presence of the Junior Minister.
“Ms Greene introduced only Minister Lawrence to the staff while completely ignoring Minister Broomes,” it said.
At a subsequent meeting, it added, Greene was hostile and disrespectful towards Broomes in the presence of Lawrence, the Permanent Secretary and other staff members. As a result, the ministry said Lawrence was forced to caution and reprimand Greene for her conduct.
“Ms Greene loudly and aggressively declared her unwillingness to work with Minister Broomes unless Minister Broomes submitted herself to demands and ultimatums made by Ms Greene,” the statement further said, while pointing out that at no time did Broomes engage in any confrontation with Greene.
The statement said both Ministers Lawrence and Broomes have assumed their responsibilities in good faith and with a view to working harmoniously will all staff at the ministry in service to the people of Guyana, particularly women, children and the vulnerable and abused.
It added that Lawrence wishes Greene will reflect on what transpired on Wednesday and make every effort on her return to improve the manner in which she relates to her staff and the ministers, with whom she will have to collaborate.
“Minister Lawrence looks forward to Ms Greene’s cooperation and responsible behaviour as the ministry seeks to provide a service of excellence for the children in its care,” it further said.
‘Ominous’
Meanwhile, the GTUC said while it is important that functional superiors show authority, it must be exercised judiciously and with respect to the rights of each employee to due process, which includes the right to defence.
“GTUC takes this opportunity to remind the honourable ministers that it is less than three weeks since they were on the campaign trail promising to be different and offering themselves as a better alternative to the previous government,” it further pointed out.
The union highlighted that better practices are not limited to areas of corruption and marginalisation but also the ability to manage industrial conflicts. “Ministers are reminded that their actions determine how persons perceive their ability to exercise stewardship of the ministry under their portfolio and may unfortunately result in an unfair labelling of the entire new administration,” the union said.
It also noted that since Lawrence is responsible for the Labour Ministry, any action of hers inimical to the best interest of preserving workers’ rights and due process are seen as “ominous,” since she will have to enter into bargaining and negotiations with labour organisations and will have to conciliate/arbitrate disputes and grievances. “This requires skills, tolerance and an ability to hammer out positions that will result in fair resolve of issues,” it noted. “Workers of this country are looking to this new government for change that will see their rights upheld. Indiscriminate practices by the political directorate of the coalition will not be given a pass for where such behaviours were considered wrong under the PPP they cannot now be acceptable under the APNU+AFC,” it added.
