Three days after he accused the two union groupings in the country, the TUC and FITUG, of “virtual impotence”, Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott has apologised for the remark.
Based on a GINA release, Scott made the apology at a press conference on Thursday in the presence of representatives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). Stabroek News was not invited to the press conference.
Scott, who has responsibility for labour and by virtue of this would have to deliberate on union matters, made the remark in Parliament on Tuesday during the consideration of the budget estimates. He made no attempt in Parliament on Tuesday to withdraw the remark.
A report on the exchange was carried in Wednesday’s edition of Stabroek News but still the minister made no attempt to withdraw the remark or apologise.
On Thursday, the TUC and FITUG issued a joint statement calling on Scott to clarify the remark or apologise. Later on Thursday, GINA issued a report stating that Scott had apologised.
In the GINA report, Scott said, “I made the mistake, that statement is regrettable, I’m solely responsible for the statement being made. I take full responsibility for saying so, and it takes nothing out of me to say to FITUG, GTUC, media and to the citizens of Guyana, that I’m sorry.”
GINA said that Scott made his apology at the press conference in the presence of Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis and other members of FITUG and GTUC.
Scott further said in the GINA report that while the situation is unfortunate, he has always been committed, and will continue to be dedicated towards trade unions, and the principles of trade unionism and brotherhood. He added that since his assumption to office, he has been pursuing the goals of trade union unity, even among unrecognised unions.
“Some unions had issues with people they represented and employers. Whenever we have been invited to participate, though we tried to avoid interfering even though we have the power to interfere in any dispute with or without invitation, I have played my part. Under my watch, we always tried to wait until we are invited by parties, employers or employees, and I have always tried to show a balance,” Scott said, according to GINA.
On Tuesday in Parliament, Scott was asked to justify the allocation made to the Guyana National Cooperative Union Limited (GNCUL) as well as to give the criteria that were used to facilitate such an allocation, particularly since no previous allocations were made in the 2015 or 2016 National Budget.
He then described the GNCUL as an “umbrella body that more or less ensures the cooperative movement is fully utilized,” before noting that the allocated funds would be used to “resuscitate” the body.
However, when asked by PPP/C MP Gillian Burton-Persaud for a list of credit unions that fall under the purview of the GNCUL, Scott said the body caters to credit unions from each of the 10 Administrative Regions.
Unsatisfied with the lack of information from the Government Member of Parlia-ment (MP), several other Opposition MPs pressed the issue until Scott made a request to have such information laid over at a later time.
Scott was also asked to provide answers regarding the principals of the credit unions, the type of representation to the Ministry for funding and what reasons were given to warrant the proposal of a $24M allocation.
However, much to the dissatisfaction of the Opposition, Scott was unable to provide any information specific to the questions asked, instead, he requested the opportunity to lay over the information at a later date.
He however did say that the building that hosts the office of the GNUCL is located in Waterloo Street, between Middle and Quamina streets.
Meanwhile, Burton-Persaud proceeded to question the Minister on whether or not the allocations would not have been of greater benefit to the TUC and FITUG both of whom would have been allocated only $500,000.
Scott in his response, cited the “virtual impotence” of the two bodies, something he said members of the Opposition should be well aware of.
