The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday bemoaned what it said was an apparent lack of leadership by the government on addressing the coronavirus crisis and it urged that relief measures be put in place to aid struggling workers.
FITUG, which includes the sugar unions GAWU and NAACIE, made a number of calls.
It said:
That no worker should suffer any loss in pay during any period they may not be required at work arising from the curtailing or outright closure of workplaces;
The State, as the country’s major employer, should ensure that all of its employees, whether employed in the public service, semi-autonomous and para-statal agencies, receive their full salaries during the period;
The Government of Guyana should work along with private sector employers to provide the necessary assistance, whether through fiscal or other measures, to ensure that businesses are able to meet their obligations to their employees;
That direct transfers be activated for self-employed and other affected Guyanese who have been rendered out-of-work arising from the prevailing situation, and
That the Government approve a waiver of income and value added taxes for at least the next six months to allow Guyanese to be better able to cope with the increased cost-of-living caused by the pandemic.
FITUG said that local authorities ought to be embracing more proactive and credible steps to meaningfully address the pandemic
It raised concerns about the minimal testing for the virus being done by the public health authorities.
“While attempts have been made to minimize imported cases, there is still an urgent need to grapple with those who have been affected especially given the rapid and the almost unnoticeable spread of the virus. Many experts have opined that large scale testing is important if we are to identify the infected and thus minimize the spread. This is where we grow apprehensive as this seems to be an absent feature of our national response. Of course this grows even more important as the media indicated that some persons have tested positive after they would have departed our shores. Similarly, we have seen social media posts advising that proactive steps by Guyanese have been stonewalled by the apparent non-responsive response by the official apparatus”, the union grouping said.
It said it appears that there is a lack of leadership when it comes to addressing the crisis.
“While now belatedly they are daily briefings by the apparently powerful Public Health Minister, those only came after sustained calls from the society. President Granger, on the other hand, appears far apart and just for a few moments. The President’s seeming hands-off approach on this matter of national importance is concerning and is at variance with his counterparts in the region and further afield. We nevertheless believe that the situation requires broad-based involvement if we are able to grapple with the crisis in short-order”, the union said.
FITUG said that the crisis already has forced many businesses to restrict their operations and, in other instances, to shut their doors completely with many workers being affected gravely. It said that in New Amsterdam certain businesses have been ordered to shut their doors and in their wake scores of workers have been affected. Further, in other parts of the country, curfews and stay-at-home advisories have been imposed.
“Given the dire situation that has faced and is facing many workers who live from pay-day to pay-day, the sudden and unexpected loss of income has only made their bad situations even worse. The absence of the income of a breadwinner/s can only serve to exacerbate the situation as those found in want may well be forced to make decisions which can put them and their families in harm’s way. Similarly, our market vendors, taxi and minibus drivers, truck and animal-drawn cart operators, and so many more stand to be affected by the current crisis and can be driven to take decisions not in the interest of their health and well-being but necessary to put food on their tables”, FITUG said, arguing for relief measures from the government.
It added that while some reprieve has come in the form of delayed bill payments and obligations to the financial institutions, these do not fully answer nor do they address holistically the new-found plight of many workers and their families.
FITUG said that it also concerned about the level of protection being offered to those who are required to be on the frontlines in addressing the pandemic.
“Just days ago, we saw nurses and others of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) lamenting the absence of suitable protective wear to prevent them from contracting COVID-19. We also have heard of similar situation unfolding at other health facilities as well. On this score, we hasten to remind the authorities that the Occupational Safety and Health Act require that employers provide their workers with appropriate and suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mitigate occupational hazards”, FITUG said.
Noting the refusal of some public transportation operators to provide their services to nurses and other medical practitioners, FITUG urged the assistance of the State in facilitating the transportation of all frontline workers.
