Dear Editor,
I respond to an article published in the Friday February 7, 2020 edition of the Kaieteur News headlined `Standoff escalates at RUSAL, workers chase Edghill, Phillips, defy Police, block Berbice river.’
We in the PPP/C conducted a three-day outreach in the Ituni, Kwakwani and Upper Berbice River Areas which saw an unprecedented turnout of residents at every location visited to listen to the PPP/C message and to engage as we prepare for the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.
After conducting 13 successful public and community engagements during the three days we made an impromptu stop at the site of the river blockage and to hear from the workers who were already gathered at the location. We had earlier heard of the reports of a standoff between the police and the dismissed workers. As leaders who will form the next Government we went merely to observe and listen to the concerns of the affected persons.
On arrival at the waterfront in the Landersville area we engaged in one-on–one conversations with various individuals, in the process of those engagements we were heckled by a small group of persons wearing APNU/AFC T-shirts and waving flags. This outburst began when a known PNCR leader told the people not to listen to Edghill and Phillips. The indecency and vulgarity that accompanies such mobilization ensued. (The images on social media need no interpretation.)
It is my belief that workers have a right to protest when they feel aggrieved and solutions seems not forthcoming. Any responsible Government must hold companies/employers accountable and ensure that our laws are upheld at all times. This was said repeatedly to the workers that listened while the PNC/APNU/AFC mobilized band sought to distract from this engagement. Having completed our observation and engagement we peacefully departed.
It is clear for all to see that the Granger-led Coalition lacks the adequate dispute resolution skills and is incapable of negotiating in good faith. In the interest of all the parties’ concerned, workers and employers, an amicable solution is urgently needed.
Yours faithfully,
Bishop Juan A Edghill
