Dear Editor,
The APNU+AFC administration has been elected because of the people’s dissatisfaction with and disapproval of the management of the state’s business under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. Previous governments have been held accountable through public media and the ballots in 2011 and 2015. This government has a responsibility to learn from and build on the historical development of this nation, and avoid the pitfalls of its predecessors.
The previous governments were held accountable by me and this government must understand that the same principle shall be applied to it. There have been some bright sparks in the performance of government ministers, among whom are Simona Broomes and Cathy Hughes, and it should be to the government’s advantage to build on this, and not cast it aside.
In the case of Minister Broomes, who is deemed a rights activist and was awarded for her role in fighting against human trafficking by the United States Government, when she was assigned to the Labour portfolio notwithstanding the absence of direct Labour experience, she was the best fit among those in the identified ministerial pool. This minister took the labour landscape with the seriousness it deserved. Among her first tasks was moving to enforce the laws as required for both workers and employers where she brought about results, notably the settling of outstanding grievances, which contributed to improving the industrial relations climate and offering hope to workers that the APNU+AFC was a labour friendly government.
Ms Broomes’ stellar performance was brought to an abrupt end with her removal from having oversight responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the Labour Department. When she was reassigned to the Ministry of Natural Resources it was advised that she would also have responsibility for workers’ issues in the mining and forestry sectors. Even though this commitment was made to the people of this country, the fact that the required legal instrument to cover such responsibility has not been given to her, means she has no legal mandate to execute the task.
Her replacement has done absolutely nothing. This conduct is doing a disservice to the labour landscape and is fast becoming an embarrassment to this government, moreso when parties campaigned on respecting the rule of law, rights of citizens/workers, and pursuing a green economy, all of which require a stable industrial relations climate. Presently there are numerous industrial relations matters that beg attention. The minister has not even taken the time to understand his role, responsibilities, and what are the day-to-day characteristics that embody Labour.
The removal of Minister Hughes from the portfolio of Tourism is a mistake similar to that in relation to Ms Broomes. Ms Hughes over the years has demonstrated a vision and passion for this sector. She worked tirelessly in this field prior to entering political office and her colleagues in the government would have been aware of this. Rather than allow her vision and commitment to the tourism sector to shape and influence government’s policies and programmes, that would redound to the earning of revenue as well as national development consistent with a green economy, this portfolio has been given to someone who has not demonstrated similar interest, zeal and passion.
While there is respect for what can be considered the political correctness in the statements made by Broomes and Hughes when their portfolios and evident passion were pulled from under their feet like the proverbial rug, as a citizen, stakeholder and leader in this society, I am registering my dissatisfaction with the government’s approach.
This government is giving rise to speculation that competence and vision are not important components of its armoury in governing this country, and that the progressive women within the leadership fold will first feel the hammer.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
