Trade unions and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) today said they are still seeking an audience with key leaders in the National Assembly on budget 2017 but are yet to hear from the government side or the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.
In a statement today, the PSC, TUC and FITUG said it appears that deliberate efforts are being made to avoid having an engagement with them. Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo has agreed to meet with the three groups.
A release from the three groups follows:
Pursuant to the 2017 National Budget, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Federation of Independent Trades Union of Guyana (FITUG) and Private Sector Commission (PSC) dispatched letters on Friday, 9th December 2016 to the Leaders of the National Assembly, consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.
The letters addressed to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (Leader of the Government Business), Barton Scotland (Speaker) and Bharrat Jagdeo (Leader of the Opposition) sought to have a meeting together with the three to directly share our opinions and highlight concerns about the budget. This request was made specifically to have our opinions considered in the deliberation of the Supply Committee.
Efforts to date to have audience with Messrs. Nagamootoo and Scotland have been unsuccessful. Mr. Jagdeo has committed to meet with us, though it remains our desire to meet with the three collectively, consistent with their shared responsibility and constitutional roles in government, and more particularly the nation’s highest decision-making forum.
At this stage we are inclined to think deliberate efforts are being made to avoid having engagement with us, on what is most evidently a matter of national import that will impact on and carry consequences for our constituents. At the same time the trade unions and private sector are aware that the Estimates are presently being deliberated on in the National Assembly and will be passed shortly.
Hope is held that in this new political dispensation, reiterated statements by President David Granger on his administration’s commitment to constitutional inclusionary democracy, that the Speaker and Leader of the Government Business who are elected by the group that he leads, will act in accordance. Similarly it is our view, which mirrors that of society, that governance reflects the desire of the people which is in sync with the commitment made by the President.
PSC, GTUC and FITUG harbor the expectation that the constitutional parliamentary leaders will respond favourably to the people’s desire.
Private Sector Commission of Guyana Ltd
Guyana Trades Union Congress
Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana
