In a May Day message loaded with promises of a better life for workers in the future, President Irfaan Ali said that he wanted to work with the trade union movement in a spirit of respect rather than rancour and he also announced that consultations have begun on how to allocate $5b set aside in the budget to help to ease the cost of living.
“I look forward to working with the trade union movement, in a spirit of respect rather than rancour, hope rather than hostility and cooperation instead of confrontation. This is necessary if there is to be greater success in navigating global recovery”, he said in the message released on Saturday night to mark May Day yesterday.
Citing the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years and global economic disruptions, Ali said: “We have not been unmindful of the hardships which face our workers as a result of these externalities. This is why we have been adopting measures to increase workers’ take-home income, cushion the effects of price increases, provide relief to households, make housing loans and construction more affordable for low-income earners and remove the onerous taxation burdens previously imposed on citizens”.
Adverting to the $5 billion set aside in this year’s budget to ease the cost of living , Ali said that the government will implement a programme based on this allocation after consultation with workers; “and that consultation is taking place so we can give the best possible spending, the best possible cash injection where it matters most to the workers”.
It is unclear if specific consultations have been set up for the $5b or they are taking place during visits countrywide by the president and his ministers.
Ali listed a series of measures taken to ease the cost of living including the removal of more than 200 “burdensome taxes and fees that were imposed on the backs of workers by the previous APNU+AFC government. Taking the difficulties with fuel; we’ve removed the excise tax on fuel completely from 50% to 0%- one of the few countries in the hemisphere that has done this”.
Notwithstanding the challenges which lie ahead, Ali said “I am upbeat about Guyana’s future. The country’s economy is set on a transformative and upward trajectory of development. This pathway is aimed at ensuring a higher standard of living for the present and future generations”.
He added: “I give my word that as the country enters this transformative stage of development, workers will not be left behind. Workers will share equitably in the benefits which will flow from our economy in the years ahead”.
He stated that the new economy will provide the resources for improving social services and human development.
“Every working-class family will be afforded the opportunity to own their own home and have access to potable water, electricity, and sanitation services. We will work assiduously to ensure the best possible healthcare. We are also committed to providing for our retirees and elderly so that, after their working days are over, they can enjoy a dignified existence. After work, we want workers and their families to have easy and convenient access to recreational and relaxing activities”, the President declared.
Without mentioning the oil sector in his message, Ali said: “Guyana will have more revenues. But the benefits derived from such revenues can only be secured if we are prepared to work together rather than against each other”.
