Dear Editor,
First of all, one notes Rashleigh Jackson’s letter in SN which observes a significant number of terminated Public Service employees being ignored for any compensatory benefits/grants; and indeed entitlements such as severance pay.
In this connection note that sugar workers whose services were terminated by the previous administration did receive their calculated severance payments, which were subsequently supplemented by substantial ‘grants’. Some of these employees are in the process of being re-employed at Rose Hall Estate, for example.
It is against this confused background that one wonders about the boastful announcement by the Minister of Home Affairs of granting 4847 work permits for, amongst others:
teachers
doctors
engineers
contractors
nurses
field technicians
security guards
electricians
pipe fitter
gardener
From this point of view, it is somewhat embarrassing to learn that any of the above skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled (security guard, gardener) are unavailable in our ONE NATION. Why are there no advertisements for such ‘employment opportunities’? Certainly there should be insistence on evidence of prior invitations to fill these exotic (?) positions – like nurses!
Next, what confirmation is required by the Ministry that the respective vacancies (un-numbered) have been appropriately filled?
More critically however, is the need for the Minister of Home Affairs to relate to his colleague Minister of Public Service who is (almost wantonly) scoring thousands of GOAL Scholarships, albeit without any strategic employment plan for the utilisation of the wide range of professional achievers envisaged. The latter in the meantime, must ponder about their career prospects, now that they are aware of the gratuitous foreign competition.
The result is but a ‘Confusion of Human Development’ in Guyana, with more work permits to be ‘granted’ – even for the unskilled.
The Trade Unions should certainly have a most proactive position to espouse on this threatened employment situation. Meanwhile to what jobs will invited diasporans return?
In the milieu one must ask if the Minister of Labour is kept informed so that his Labour Officers could check for compliance with the relevant employment conditions, observed by local counterpart employers – particularly regarding women employees (e.g. sick leave, maternity leave).
But on further reflection Guyanese citizens would ask which one (or more) legal authority approved the entry and legal registration of these foreign competitors?
Yours faithfully,
E.B. John