Guyana’s political leaders should abide fully with the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) recent ruling and agree on a date for general elections as a matter of urgency, says Seepaul Narine, the General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).
Speaking at a GAWU event to mark a century since the appearance of trade unions in Guyana, Narine said that universal suffrage was one of the foremost calls of the trade union movement and remains one of the most cherished of democratic rights and part of Guyana’s still fledging democratic culture.
“On this score, we cannot turn a blind eye to what appears to be brazen attempts to undermine that culture and disrespect our nation’s Constitution. It is a matter that evokes a great degree of discomfort and raises apprehensions these days and the implications of which must be of concern to workers and the trade union movement,” Narine said.
The CCJ recently ruled that a December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC government was valid which means early elections have to be held according to constitutional stipulations.
“On this score, it would be remiss of the movement, if this conference does not call on our political leaders to abide fully with the CCJ’s recent ruling and agree on the date for National and Regional Elections as a matter of urgency,” Narine said, according to a copy of his speech made available to the news media.
Meantime, Narine also highlighted some existing negative features confronting workers including the fact that a Ministry of Labour no longer exists. He quoted a statement from GAWU on Labour Day this year which observed that the ministry has now been relegated to a Department after more than 60 years of existence.
He said that another vexing problem relates to collective bargaining which has received scant attention from the powers-that-be. “We should not forget that in 2015, no lesser than then Presidential candidate, now President, David Granger undertook at the GTUC Rally that “…that unions can sit down with employers and restore collective bargaining…”. Today, that undertaking remains unfulfilled and workers’ rights are ignored in this regard. The Finance Minister in his 2019 Budget address did say “…the wages and salaries of public servants will be increased in 2019, after discussions with the respective unions”. But comrades, we heard this before, and to date such promises remain dashed and our law on collective bargaining continue to be disregarded,” the union leader said.
Meantime, Narine said that as a trade union movement with a proud history of principled and consistent struggles on behalf of workers’ causes, they cannot be oblivious to the fact that Guyana is on the threshold of major developments in the new oil and gas sector.
“We also recognise, that there is much uncertainty surrounding this sector and its impact on people’s lives and future. The situation cries out for attention from a vibrant trade union movement that is committed to safeguarding our workers and people’s interests. In the face of such a challenge, we cannot shirk our responsibility. Our co-ordinated and united actions become indispensable,” he said.
Narine also said that the “stark realities” of the situation at the political, economic, social and infrastructural levels, also necessitate a reinvigorated movement. “Many workers, organised or unorganised, nowadays despair over life’s burdens and are anxious about the future that awaits them. Cost of living is steadily rising, costs for health-care and medicine and education are climbing; unemployment is rife increasing due to sugar estates and thriving enterprises being closed, unwarrantedly. There is general social deterioration and corruption and crime are at worrying levels. With these conditions which are our today’s realities, we hark back to the spirit and leadership displayed by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow over a hundred years ago and draw inspiration from him,” he said.
