Dear Editor,
Reference is made to Elton McRae’s letter, `Labour leaders failed on the Marriott workers issue’ (SN March 19, 2013). While McRae did not make any specific reference (s) that informed the title of his letter, it is important to make a few things known. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (TUC) wrote the political groups in the National Assembly on the Marriott Hotel issue. Sam Hinds, as Leader of the Government’s business in the House sought an engagement with the TUC and such was held on Thursday, March 7, 2013 with his team, the TUC, and the Private Sector Commission. The TUC’s immediate interest in the Marriott attends to “the right and the duty to work” for Guyanese, as outlined in Article 22 of the Guyana Constitution. Consequently, the non-employment of Guyanese labour in the construction of this business is a violation of the citizens’ rights and is of paramount concern to Labour since this threatened the ideals for full employment and elimination of poverty.
And while McRae ascribed to the TUC’s leadership a “weakness in their line of reasoning,” “nothing short of non-leadership” on the handling of the Marriott issue and not setting our priority, the references he used in supporting his claims are deserving of attention:-
1. To ask the TUC to focus on the kokers in Georgetown as priority over employment when the kokers crisis falls under the direct supervision of the City Council is not to understand the national character of this organisation or to say to us that jobs are of lesser importance.
2. Making the claim that the “Marriott project did not get Parliamentary approval to spend resources owned by the Guyanese working class” is to ignore two critical factors – a) the contract on the project was already signed before the opposition voted on the matter; and b) when an agreement of this nature is sealed, it requires more than a vote in the legislature to undo or make modifications. The TUC is mindful of these realities.
3. The claim that “Labour leaders hailed the fact that they have been able to get the Government leaders to concede, that in future projects Guyanese workers would be given priority” is a bit of a stretch. The TUC’s goal is to have the citizens’ rights respected and to this end sees an acknowledgement by the government that a violation occurred as critical to moving the process forward. For correcting any mis-step requires acknowledgement on the part of those involved, and this is nothing to hail; it is something to fix.
4. It is not true the TUC “sat in that room and allowed Sam Hinds and company to convince them that the Marriott project is too important to be delayed.” The actual recording of the event or the joint press statement issued by the government and the TUC would show no such action. The discussions attended to the acceptance that Guyanese’s rights must be protected and local workers given first option to State projects, the possibility of not having this occur in the future, and examination of the public statements by government’s representatives that the appropriate skills are not available.
5. It is also not true the TUC “did not take into account the PPP/C’s track record on agreements made in times of crisis.” The TUC understands this only two well having dealt with the PPP both in opposition and in government. Given past experiences, the TUC is not fooled nor harbours any illusion that a government with a track record of acting in bad faith can change overnight. But the TUC also knows when it sits at the table, buttressed with its age old record of stick-to-itiveness, it can deliver for the society.
On McRae’s concerns about the PPP’s track record and his reference points of Desmond Hoyte’s and Linden’s struggles, my views on these issues are stated hereafter. Desmond Hoyte’s struggles were not in vain. For one, he created and brought about a level of consciousness and integrity to public office that offers a road map for those fighting executive lawlessness and desiring good-governance. Two, the agreements he signed with Bharrat Jagdeo retain currency and can be picked up by the politicians and members of civil society. Three, he realised amendments to the Guyana Constitution that should we adhere to same can move this country into the 21st century and realise a better relationship among the citizens and the management of our resources. And four, he left with the public an energy and legacy to stand up and fight for what is just and fair.
On the Linden struggle, the benefits are still evolving. The people of Linden/Region Ten have secured a commission of inquiry into the July 18, 2012 incident. The report is made public and their belief, from day one, that the police were responsible for the shooting to deaths and injuries was corroborated by the commission. The commission also made recommendations to improve the professionalism in the force, called for mechanisms to be put in place to hold the police accountable for their behaviours, and offered insights to improve police/community relations. And on recommended compensation to the deceased families and injured, there is room for further action/negotiation. The success or failure of this report would not be the responsibility of Region Ten. It would be the responsibility of each and every law-abiding citizen and those committed enough to put partisan political interest aside and hold the government-executive and opposition- accountable to give life to the report. On the August 21, 2012 Agreement with the Government, the people of Region Ten have laid out four conditions. Thus far they have achieved the return of the Regional Land Selection Committee and continue to wage a valiant fight to ensure the outstanding three conditions are honoured. I am confident Region Ten will not relent until their demands are met.
Should this approach be replicated throughout society we can all get what is justly ours. This fight requires all on board because the oppressors never relent without a fight, and the oppressed only get what they fight for. And on future contracts by the government, which are really on behalf of the people of Guyana, this can only be properly executed when clear guidelines and systems are put in place. The TUC desires this and this had informed its letter to the political parties in the National Assembly. As our supreme decision-making arm, and given our representative parliamentary democracy, together the people must work through, and with the executive and opposition, to safeguard our resources, our right and duty to work, and ensure we have the requisite skills to compete. The TUC’s goal is to effect and enforce legislation to avoid a re-occurrence of the Marriott.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
