Dear Editor,
The 12th November letter in SN by our respected trade union leader, Mr Lincoln Lewis, titled: ‘It is not the government’s role to accuse a trade union of a political motive’ appropriately calls attention to the need for respect for the provisions of our industrial relations laws and collective labour agreements. This obligation is equally placed on both the employers and the trade unions, with the government as the neutral ‘watchdog’ through the Ministry or Department of Labour, irrespective of whatever name the government of the day attaches to the function. While an appropriate name for the function is helpful, what is of more significance is the function per se.
A review of the plethora of strikes called by a major union in Guyana would quickly reveal that the overwhelming majority of them are in direct contravention of the provisions of our laws, our collective labour agreements and the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). And while these irresponsible breaches proliferate to the detriment of our economy and society, the relevant arms of the government appear unwilling or incapable of applying available and appropriate sanctions to reverse the debilitating trend.
As a concerned Guyanese, I appeal to Mr Lewis and his colleagues to use their good offices and considerable influence to do whatever they can, and I do believe they can do quite a lot in this regard, to let good sense prevail for the progress and prosperity of our struggling nation.
Yours faithfully,
Nowrang Persaud
