Dear Editor,
Recent comments by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the Federation of Independent Trades Union (FITUG) on the report by Ms Gay McDougall, United Nations Independent Expert on Minority Issues, comprised personal attacks and superficial denial. These organisations must know their attempts would not diminish the seriousness of the report or the United Nations’ concerns about escalating discrimination in Guyana. Statements attacking Ms McDougall never provided any irrefutable evidence to deny charges that the African community is at the receiving end of PPP discriminatory policies. FITUG never denied the government destroyed the bauxite industry pension fund, and took away funding from the Critchlow Labour College (CLC).
Over the years the PPP has given five reasons for withdrawing funding:
accountability;
wanting more government involvement in the decision-making of the CLC;
giving money to the CLC would be seen as government involvement in trade union business;
college catering to one racial group; and
the reconfiguration of the CLC must accommodate FITUG unions.
The many reasons leave persons to conclude the government is deliberately pursuing a discriminatory policy against an institution that by law it has no control over, and that a group is being targeted because of their racial identity. At no time has the CLC had a problem with accountability as claimed by the government and its supporters. It is the said strategy which is being used to deny funding to the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC).
The destruction of the contributory bauxite pension fund by the government was uncalled for. The fund was not in crisis. Proposals and recommendations made by the bauxite community and bauxite unions to save the fund were all ignored by the government. This fund was worth billions of dollars and the single largest pool of money owned by Africans who were working and saving for their retirement.
It should be noted that the African Guyanese leaders of the named organisations who have attacked Ms McDougall and the UN report are not among the suffering masses. They witness the daily oppression, discrimination and anguish of their brothers and sisters but refuse to give voice or render support. When the history of this period would have been written these leaders will be identified with those suppressing their people.
To those discriminated against, be not deterred by those whose bread is well buttered. Keep up the struggles for your rights!
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
Caribbean Congress of Labour
