For the 2024 budget, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has called for the abolition of personal income tax and provision of unemployment benefits among a raft of other measures for improved living standards.
The GTUC met on Friday with Prime Minister Mark Phillips and government ministers and was invited to lay out what it wished to see in the upcoming budget.
In its proposal released on Saturday, the GTUC took pains to remind the government that the engagement was not “superficial” but “meaningful”, a view it said was consistent with Articles 13 and 149C of the Constitution of Guyana, both of which speak to “inclusion” of groups and individuals in the management and decision-making processes of the State on matters that affect them. As such, the following recommendations were put forward.
1. Abolition of personal income tax.
2. Unemployment benefits for a stipulated maximum period, enabling persons in between jobs to be able to sustain themselves at least on the basics.
3. Expansion of the meal programme to provide a daily balanced lunch for school children from nursery to secondary for all public schools.
4 Establishment of fully equipped main referral hospitals in all ten regions with a trauma centre, intensive care, and diagnostic facilities. It also wants more resources channelled to preventative care to promote a healthy lifestyle and society.
5. Reduction in the cost of electricity and the sale of non-taxable gas and support for a public transportation system which would create competition and alternatives, and moreso, aid the vulnerable in being able to afford and access this service.
6. Cash transfers to encourage citizens to engage in more clean, renewable energy.
7. Direct and indirect cash transfers through interest-free or very low-interest rate soft loans to improve and maintain residences and immediate home environment. This will lend to the beautification of properties, communities, villages, and towns.
8. Establish a programme with a requisite fund for first-time home owners where each person can be given the sum of $3,000,000 as a grant for the purchase of a home
Wages, salaries and working conditions
The GTUC and its affiliates, insisted that the right to Collective Bargaining in the public sector be consistent with Article 147 of the Constitution, and treats with the respective unions as required by the Trade Union Recognition Act, and its obligations under the ILO Conventions. It also rejected the imposition of wage increases.
The union movement also proposed the following:
1. Convene a public hearing on the Sovereign Wealth Fund to determine management priorities and allocations before spending from it.
2. All borrowing must be tabled in the National Assembly for discussion and approval.
3. Strict enforcement of the work permit rule.
4. Information for the Wales gas-to-shore project must be made public and hearings conducted on these projects before spending on them.
5. Tax Reform and Land Reform.
6. Establish industrial estates in each region to create wealth, jobs, and technical training.
7. Increase the old-age pension to $50,000 per month.
8. Concessions given to Private Sector must be laid before the National Assembly.
9. Introduce strict rules on procurement of goods and services and employment on Local Content must be put in place.
10. All contracts with foreign leaders, foreign companies and businesses must be laid before the National Assembly for review.
11. Hold public enquiry into the Exxon Mobil agreements signed by President Janet Jagan and Minister Trotman to determine the differences so that action could be taken.
12. Examination of all mining and oil agreements concluded by the Ramotar government.
