The implementation of constitutional reforms and outstanding labour agreements and an investigation into extra-judicial killings are among 25 issues that the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has urged President Bharrat Jagdeo to address as Guyana marks International Year for People of African Descent.
In a press statement, the GTUC said on Monday it delivered a letter to President Jagdeo, outlining the issues to be addressed in the African community that requires the government’s “urgent attention” as they continue to have an adverse impact on the Afro-Guyanese population. “Consequently, given the critical role and responsibility of government in discharging the obligations imposed upon it by the United Nation’s charge in this International Year for People of African Descent, the GTUC, as representative of labour, and given its constitutional responsibility, is seeking to ensure that government provides the utmost fillip in meeting the urgent needs of this neglected community,” GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis wrote in the letter.
In the area of labour, Lewis called for the development and implementation of regulations to give effect to the 1997 Occupational Safety and Health Act, which he said is necessary to protect workers of Guyana. Further, Lewis calls for implementation of the March 8, 2000 GTUC/Government of Guyana Agreement which dealt with addressing crime and development of a housing complex for workers. The return the yearly grants to the GTUC and Critchlow Labour College (CLC), since the opportunities granted by CLC are predominantly accessed by African Guyanese and youths, were listed as well.
Lewis urged institution of compulsory arbitration on the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and /Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) impasse as well as a public inquiry into the GB&GWU’s charges of discrimination against bauxite workers and their communities based on their race, political geography and perceived political allegiance. He called as well for the establishment of a Commission to enquire into the May 1999 police shooting of striking public servants who were picketing peacefully in the vicinity of John Fernandes Wharf.
He urged the return of tax-free overtime achieved by bauxite workers in 1988, which he accused the administration of taking away even as it is maintained a similar practice in sugar sector. “This was awarded to the sugar sector simultaneously as it was awarded to the bauxite sector by the Hoyte administration,” he noted.
The establishment of a Commission to enquire into hundreds of extra-judicial murders from 2002 to 2006, in keeping with a call by the Joint Opposition Parliamentary Parties and the international community, is needed, according to Lewis. He also called for the release to the relevant authority of the alleged tapes of opposition politicians engaging criminal elements, saying it would be a measure to aide society’s effort “to get to the bottom of the mayhem that held the East Coast of Demerara under siege and which has served to escalate racial tensions, resulting in the loss of economic livelihood, the dislocation of families and loss of lives of hundreds, women and children inclusive.”
The need for implementation of the recommendations of the 2004 Disciplined Forces Commission Report was noted too.
Lewis also called for respect for African rights consistent with international conventions and charters, Universal Declarations of Human Rights, international laws, the Guyana Constitution and the rule of law; respect for the rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association in the public service, public sector and bauxite industry; and accurate recording, respect and acknowledgment of African’s contributions towards the development of Guyana.
Additionally, Lewis said there is need for engagement with African organisations and those who represent African’s interests, in accordance with the Constitution and UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon’s calls that “the success of the International Year requires concerted efforts across the United Nations system and at the regional and national levels, with the widest possible engagement and participation, and the full integration of Africans into their social, economic and political life and at all levels of decision-making.”
Lewis urged the establishment of the Procurement Commission, to ensure equitable allocation of contracts, as well as the setting up of the Rights Commissions Secretariat. He also said that the 2007 opposition motion for the establishment of an African Land Commission to determine the issue of ancestral land rights of African Guyanese should be passed into law.
Additionally, he advocated for a national stakeholders commission for the distribution and re-evaluation of lands and house lots.
He further requested that President Jagdeo implement recommendations made by UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Gay Mc Dougall, from her visit to Guyana in 2008.
Lewis also called for implementation of the 2001 Hoyte/Jagdeo Agreement to address the concerns of depressed communities of Fryish/ Gibraltar, Hogstye/Lancaster, Blueberry Hill/ Victory Valley, West Watooka, Enterprise, Buxton, Meten-meer-zorg and De Kinderen. He said too that 2008 ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang to “stop discriminating and penalizing Lindeners by denying them broadcasting licence” should be honoured.
Other issues Lewis raised in his letter are the need for the establishment of a national stakeholders committee to look into the vendors’ problems; resizing and relocation of the Georgetown Prison and the revamping of the penal and custodial system to facilitate more community services as penalty for minor offences; the reintroduction of National Service to provide opportunities to youths and those in need of second chances; and establishment of a Guyana Presidential Research Institute where information on the work and lives of all past presidents can be available to the public.
“Conscious that our list… does not include every area the community would like to have addressed, the government is urged to pay special attention to these herein identified, in the development and execution of an agenda consistent with the UN’s charge and goals,” Lewis also pointed out.
