The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday criticised government over what it says is its silence on the future of the ownership of the Berbice Bridge, following its recent takeover.
Ahead of the implementation of planned toll increases by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson issued an order declaring that the functions of the company “to maintain and operate the bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of November 5th 2018, until the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety.”
Residents of the county have welcomed the temporary takeover but the parliamentary opposition and some private sector officials have voiced their concern over the move.
In a statement issued yesterday, FITUG said it felt that the government would have spelt out its position regarding its plans for the bridge by now.
“Our patience for such an explanation has worn thin and thus our resort to a public statement. We believe, such an explanation is necessary taking into account that the NIS [National Insurance Scheme] and several pension plans are among those holding investments in the Bridge. With the sudden takeover of the operations, the Government has, so far, been silent on how it intends to address the investment of these workers monies,” it said.
The FITUG said that while it could not find favour with what could be described as “enormous toll hikes,” it also cannot ignore that workers could possibly lose monies they would most need in their twilight years. “This is a matter we cannot condone nor accept and it is incumbent on the Government to fully and adequately address this matter bearing in mind the repercussions it would have,” it added.
FITUG also noted its disappointment that Minister Patterson has failed to respond to a joint request by it and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to engage on the developments regarding the bridge.
It said the two umbrella bodies, in a joint letter dated October 22nd, requested an audience with the Minister following a similar engagement they had with officials of the BBCI. “The engagement, we felt, would have allowed the Government to respond to concerns of the Trade Union Movement and to provide appropriate explanations and clarifications. The absence of a response by the Minister, in our view, is yet another reminder of the esteem the APNU+AFC Government has for the workers and their organisations,” it, however, lamented.
