In another stinging rebuke for the government, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has come out against the shutout of Guyanese workers from the construction of the Marriott Hotel.
In a statement this afternoon, FITUG, which includes union heavyweights like GAWU, the GLU and NAACIE, heaped the blame on the special purposes company set up for the construction, Atlantic Hotels Inc, and not the Chinese contractor, Shanghai Construction Group.
Said FITUG “While developmental matters are necessarily on-going, the relevant state officials may be well advised to ensure that un-called for blunders are avoided. After all, employment of Guyanese is one of the stated benefits from our many projects of which Marriott is one.
“Concern over employment comes naturally to those of us who are Trade Union activists and we must, literally daily, interact with the labouring masses. For those who take or support measures – be they cuts in the National Budget that threaten workers’ jobs or that of the Marriott experiences – we see as unfriendly to workers and their families. Our country will hardly go forward in such circumstances.”
FITUG’s position will be seen as an embarrassing blow to the government and AHI – which is headed by its investment point man, Winston Brassington. FITUG is generally seen as aligned to the government but in this case it is at one with the GTUC and other labour groups which have severely criticized the use of Chinese labour only on the hotel.
The statement also comes just a day after the PPP held a press conference and denounced the varied attacks on the use of Chinese labour at Marriott as racist. Labour Minister NK Gopaul, a former leading light of NAACIE had also defended the use of Chinese labour.
The FITUG statement follows:
“The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) wishes to join all other stake-holders, who hold the view that contractor constructing the Marriott International Hotel, the Shanghai Construction Group, has not seen it appropriate to employ Guyanese labour at this phase of the project.
“FITUG cannot cast blame upon the Chinese contractors, as all builders and investors seek the most convenient and economical labour force and conditions they can get the most from. FITUG, however, finds fault with the local company, Atlantic Hotel Incorporated (AHI), clearly not insisting that available Guyanese with required skills and expertise be given first consideration for employment in the project and only after exhausting such a recruitment drive, non-Guyanese are considered. One telling and significant implication that can emerge from this short-coming and short-sightedness is the whole question of foreign investors’ employment practices with respect to specific contracts. This consideration can well lead on, one way or the other to other relevant questions about our development thrust, at this time.
“FITUG intends to pursue questions further and will seek to meet with Ministry of Labour and other relevant Ministries to be better acquainted with the employment clauses of various agreements entered into. At the same time we intend to raise our principled stand the question of the employment of qualified Guyanese to various projects while not disrespecting the contractor’s rights.
The Marriott Hotel project has attracted, over time, unusual controversy. Among the commentaries one heard was that it was a non-starter. To the recent debate of the project in Parliament, its viability and necessity were questioned. Now that the project, is diligently moving ahead, the contentious ‘employment practices’ has arisen. The government, on the other hand, remains confident that the Marriott project is another step in the development direction, and pointing out that even, at this initial phase, the spin-off activities redound to our economic benefit.
“While developmental matters are necessarily on-going, the relevant state officials may be well advised to ensure that un-called for blunders are avoided. After all, employment of Guyanese is one of the stated benefits from our many projects of which Marriott is one.
“Concern over employment comes naturally to those of us who are Trade Union activists and we must, literally daily, interact with the labouring masses. For those who take or support measures – be they cuts in the National Budget that threaten workers’ jobs or that of the Marriott experiences – we see as unfriendly to workers and their families. Our country will hardly go forward in such circumstances.
“FITUG will always stand by the working class in their just struggles and demands. Given their critical role in wealth creation, they deserve greater respect and recognition from the elites of our society.”
