Dear Editor,

With the recent air traffic controllers’ (ATCs) saga, it was reported in the Kaieteur News  on February 5, 2009, that advertisements to fill the vacancies of these sacked professionals were being advertised regionally.

Since the President has intervened in the matter and the dismissal letters were withdrawn, it would be in the government’s interest to advise us as to whether these advertisements were withdrawn. This information would not only clarify the unwarranted speculation this matter continues to attract, but it will also demonstrate to the ATCs that the President and government are interested in meaningfully addressing their issue and are serious about securing their employment.

Too often promises are made to workers for them to abandon industrial action on the promise that their grievances would be addressed, when in fact there are covert meanderings taking place which are remote from addressing the issues in contention.

It would also be interesting to know whether the government has plans to engage in the training of other qualified persons to work in this highly skilled field. I am confident that if it does, it will find ready and anxious candidates in the secondary schools throughout Guyana. Let us invest in our young people so that they can contribute to the development of the nation.

Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor