Dear Editor,
If politicians lose sight of the accepted universal principle that good governance and the harmonious relationship among the people of a country are reliant on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law, universal declarations, and international conventions and charters, this nation will never progress.
Note is being taken of the utterances of Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan about the Guyana Trades Union Congress’ (GTUC) posture in the examination of the 2017 National Budget. Let me seek, as General Secretary of this body, to make it very clear: The affairs of the GTUC are underpinned by accepted universal labour principles, which are grounded in international charters, conventions, the constitution, and laws. The GTUC’s interaction with any individual, group, or office holder is guided by these.
The executive has a responsibility to this society to uphold the rule of law to the letter, as well as in terms of its spirit and intent. Where persons have violated the law, it is the responsibility of this branch of government to set in train actions to bring about justice. This society is aware of the mismanagement of the nation prior to May 2015.
The people have consistently called for those responsible to be held accountable. It is the duty of the Minister of Public Security, and the Attorney General and the Minister Legal Affairs to proceed in bringing about the accountability the people seek.
The office of the Leader of the Opposition is enshrined in the Guyana Constitution. Presently Bharrat Jagdeo holds this office. Labour’s position on Mr Jagdeo’s stewardship as President is publicly well known and documented, and is something Minister Ramjattan is aware of.
The GTUC respects the constitution and will abide by it. Every member of the National Assembly, including the government bench, refers to Mr Jagdeo as Leader of the Opposition, an office he was elected to.
The GTUC held an engagement with Mr Jagdeo at the Parliament Building at his request to discuss the appointment of the new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission, which is another constitutional office. This response was consistent with our responsibility outlined in Articles 23, 38, 147, 149C of the Guyana Constitution.
It should be said that to date the APNU+AFC administration has refused to meet the unions in as much as the constitution specifies our role in the nation and its development. Rather than have the ministers lash out without giving careful thought to what they are saying, it may help this administration to do some introspection, because in the eyes of the public they are coming across as reckless, entitled, and self-serving.
Minister Ramjattan should be mindful, while the administration of which he is part is failing to discharge its responsibility under the law, to hold persons accountable for their stewardship of this country, because by refusing to engage stakeholders in conformity with the constitution they are losing moral ground to stand on.
When Mr Jagdeo activates the constitution consistent with the office he holds and is engaging stakeholders, he is playing shrewd and compelling politics.
Accusing persons of supporting him is a simplistic argument that can be construed as masking the failure to treat stakeholders and citizens with regard, or govern consistent with the rule of law.
Let me seek to put the Minster’s viewpoint in perspective from the GTUC’s standpoint. The GTUC’s positions on the budget have been made clear, given the impact it is likely to have on our constituents ‒ past, present and potential workers, unionised and non-unionised.
The GTUC has been unflinching in speaking out on issues over the years, guided by universal principles, not loyalty or kowtowing to any person or group, which the Minister can attest to, while our record in addition can withstand scrutiny in that respect.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
