In five days’ time it will be the first of May – May Day, Workers Day, take your pick.
Unlettered as I am, I veer towards simplicity of thought and concepts. So I remind, simply: without the world’s working – class, the proletariat, the best – laid plans, the most grandiose projects and policies, cannot and will not experience implementation and fruition without the brawn, sweat and labour of grass-roots, hands- on workers. Of course, I hasten to point out that the term “worker” in today’s world now embraces numerous categories and levels – from intellectual and management to physical and menial. (I also just came across 18 definitions for the word “work”. Go check them out.)
Against the above, allow me these musings to observe Workers Day in my own big, beautiful blighted land – Guyana.
Workers’ representation here today
To discuss workers’ representation, there must, naturally be work, workers employed, the need for workers – representation and justice in the work –place. These elements give need for a role for trade unions. Trouble is, just a small fraction of Guyanese who actually work, on some basis, is actually registered as members of any union.
Now two related points before I proceed with these random but relevant ramblings: the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana actually guarantees workers the fundamental right to join unions – Article 147. (This talks about “the freedom to … belong to trade unions”. Then “neither an employer no a trade union shall be deprived of the right to enter into collective agreements.”
Both articles 21 and 149B are, to me, interesting with 21 stating “the source of the growth of social wealth and of the wellbeing of the people and of each individual is the labour of the people.” Huh?
Secondly, I think here of government as employer using the contract technique to subdue numerous public workers and weaken trade unions. And just why do thoughts of the thousands of self-employed and hundreds of criminal-mined crooks who earn fabulously, enter my thought process? Obvious?
When I think of that grand working-class hero, Hubert Nathaniel ‘Skibby’ Critchlow who singularly, fought back conceit and challenges from his own, to pioneer Guyana’s first organised, registered trade union (the BGLU). I hesitate to analyse and pronounce of local trade unionism today. Why? The politics, man, the politics.
Mind you, it has been a tradition for the early trade union movement to have produced politicians and political leaders, who later would become national leaders. That holds true, for Britain, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, especially. So be very muted when you criticise union leaders in Parliament, as MP’s for the party of their choice. H.N Critchlow always reminded that “Politics follows us from cradle to crave.”
Trouble is: does the “political trade unionist” use his political or parliamentary status and influence on behalf of his union members? Or does he compromise on behalf of his beloved party?
My union members, you must discern which one profits your party/unionist more. His leadership of the union? Or his Party? Or both? Discuss…
Finally on this issue: Frankly Speaking, it is my conclusive view that the relatively few registered union-member-workers are really challenged to believe the credibility of some trade union executives these days. Two reasons for this: the rampant self-aggrandisement and “enrichment” displayed by some known “leaders” – the trips, the perks, the company-union(ist) compromise – and the union members’ appreciation that the state, as employer, intimidates the union (leadership). President-for-life of the GPSU talks cheese. What results?
I close by enquiring: is it beyond the majority FITUG and the lesser representative TUC to find areas of common concerns and advocacy? Eschewing their political preferences and putting labour’s challenges first? Jointly? A reflective and pleasant workers Day next Wednesday.
Is it chronic, non-curable creed?
It’s an issue, a phenomenon with which I’ve grappled for very many of my latter-day years. What drives some individuals to want power and dominium over others even when ill-health and other age-related handicaps overcome them? Robert Mugabe is a case in point. Care for “their people”? Why does a multi-millionaire crave more and still more, long after he and those around him will forever be wealthy? Fear of losing status and endless income? Are wealth and power psychological illnesses really?
Why do I crave still more as a retired Prime Minister with a pensionrmission of half a million dollars monthly; with no children; not a single medical, transportation or utility bill to pay and free housing for life?
You’ all assist me please. Or I will conclude that it is simply greed! “The acquisitive or selfish desire – beyond reason!” Just look at Trinidadian Jack Warner!
So long, Neville…
In the latter years of his well-scored, all-rounder 82, (finally caught at long- off), Neville Annibourne was easily impatient, irascible, opinionated. But it was all tolerable! Because a smile and grin would easily assuage any shared grumpiness. (Do not many of us, classified as over – 65/70 “senior citizen”, display those behaviours just mentioned?)
After a next-door neighbour was gunned down exactly one week after the passing of Neville was relayed to me. But it is not because he was a real “fan” of this column, that I pen these personal motes. It is partly because he was one on my list of Guyanese unsung heroes whose biography I failed to write. Even though he gave me the go- ahead – repeatedly (can I get “sponsors” for, at least, five others still on my list? Before I too depart?)
The pre-funeral eulogies are being written. His varied, all-rounder life’s events recorded. From his PPP pioneering days; his role at the Balram Singh Rai internal election; his visits to every iron curtain and Latin American country, compliments of Cheddi and Janet; his PNC government information officer service; work as a print journalist for all local newspapers of recent eras; in the GDF reserve; missing death by gunfire at the “Jonestown airstrip”; his culinary expertise with Souse and Jerk- the latter learnt right in Jamaica! And so on.
A life well lived in and for Guyana. But as is usual these days – little recognition or reward.
Two partial anecdotes for and about Neville as I close: when he was turned back from the American Airport because the records described him as “communist”, I as acting Chief Information Officer, had to assure the local Embassy that the gentleman was no longer so; He was then on his way to the Jim Jones trial in San Fancisco.
And No-No- No! Neville did not blow off the head of the Queen Victoria Statue, on behalf of his party. No- o. Was just a naughty rumour, decades ago. RIP Neville.
Ponder…
.1) Will Finance Minister Singh find ways to bypass the Budget “cuts”?
.2) Will there be blackouts- fuh spite?
.3) Who really prevents political negotiation and compromise?
.4) I’m told that the specific area around the Makouria Base is dangerous for swimmers. Many drown!
.5) All Hail Gayle! Only he can break his own cricketing records.
Til next week!
(comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
