The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has told the Carter Center that it is concerned about the lack of “common understanding” of Article 106(7) which deals with how government should continue to “function” until an election is held.
Also concerning is the dormancy of the National Assembly which they argue should be functioning to bring clarity during this period.
“GTUC is concerned about the almost singular attention paid to election, in this cycle as with every other cycle, with little or no regard for the people’s well-being,” they said.
The presentation by the umbrella body which was released to media yesterday noted that while Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire SC in her ruling of 31st January upheld Articles 106(6) and (7) of the Guyana Constitution, the different interpretations of Article 106(7) have led to a stand-off between the political forces.
“There is no common understanding on how to proceed and there exists no apparent willingness by Government or Opposition to work together to create legislation, guidelines or convention to navigate this period of governance to ensure continuity of the day-to-day “function” of the Executive,” the GTUC lamented.
The statement stresses that “it is evident from Article 106(7) that Parliament should be functioning until dissolved after an election date is announced, yet both sides seem not to be working towards that.”
“One side is silent and the other side has declared its return will only be to vote for extending the period of elections within reasonable time. GTUC is concerned about this posture and the continuation of actions that are more cosmetic in nature than substantive, where politicians will engage, make promises and fail to follow through or put in place structures without enabling full functioning,” they explained, adding that they are of the view that “the Government and Opposition should return to the National Assembly, not only to address the issue of election and matters pertaining to how Government should “function” consistent with Article 106(7), but to put in place structures to realise inclusion of political and non-political stakeholders.”
GTUC they maintained, stands ready to participate.
“The principal objective of the political system outlined in the Constitution (Article 13) requires inclusion, where individual and stakeholders are involved in the management and decision-making processes of the State on matter that impact their well-being. Our association with this newly formed Civil Society Forum is to nudge and work with the political forces to bring about meaningful inclusion,” it was explained.
The trade union body has welcomed the presence of the Center and expressed the hope that their presence and voice will strengthen positions of the United Nations Resident Representative and European Union who have in principle asked for a higher degree of political maturity including a more inclusive, sensitive and compassionate government serving the interest of all.
GTUC reminded that 29 years ago the Carter Center forged and has maintained a relationship with Guyana after facilitating electoral reforms but bemoaned that fact that the National Development Strategy (NDS) which the centre helped craft in 1993 was scuttled.
“This exercise was led by junior Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo, during the presidency of Cheddi Jagan, which aimed to develop an all-inclusive strategy with the involvement of members of the private sector, trade union and civil society for a development agenda. That NDS structure was scuttled, where the structure was totally dismantled and saw the removal of stakeholders to monitor its implementation. The GTUC fears the continued cycle that this nation will once again be focused only on election without putting in place the extant structures to give meaning to inclusion and processes consistent with Article 13, and even the Carter supported NDS,” they stressed.
