Dear Editor,
On Tuesday, March 21st the world marked Internation-al Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Constitution of Guyana protects persons from being discriminated against on the ground of race (Article 149) and allows for involvement of all Guyanese in the national sphere through inclusionary democracy (Article 13). The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) once again calls on the political leadership both from the Government and Opposition, but more particularly the Government who has day-to-day Executive responsibility, to give serious attention and meaning to the stated articles.
It is the GTUC’s belief, forging Guyana’s motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny,’ requires frank, honest and open conversations on race/ethnicity and to move beyond that to creating and enforcing systems to make meaningful the nation’s aspiration. The undermentioned is hereby being proposed:-
I. Legislation to give meaning to Article 13 i.e.- “…to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
II. Establishment of all Constitutional Commissions.
III. Legislation to realise the devolution of power per constitutional Articles 75 and 76 to safeguard the Region-al and Local government systems by allowing for meaningful involvement of the people and their representative at these levels.
IV. Legislation to make the National Budget inclusive. The Appropriation Bill should not be passed in the National Assembly by less than 60 percent of the elected Members, which will necessitate inclusionary democracy and cooperation across the political aisle.
V. Legislation to realise Affirmative Action to ensure equity in employment opportunities in the public and private sectors, the awarding of government contracts, access to education and other socio-economic benefits/ resources impacting the various demographics.
VI. Implementation of Direct Oil Benefit/Cash Trans-fer through Social Programmes. According to the World Bank cash transfers are a Safety Net for many in society because “the provision of assistance in the form of cash to the poor or to those who face a probable risk of falling into poverty in the absence of the transfer. The main objective of these programmes is to increase poor and vulnerable households’ real income.”
VII. Lowering or eliminating income tax (PAYE) and providing a tax rebate – Lower PAYE and restore the allowance for children. Pay monthly grants to those 18 years and older with conditionalities. Conditionalities can vary from returning to school to pursuing certain educational programmes that vary from time to time dependent on national needs. The approach encourages development of our human resources and channeling same in directions of national need.
VIII. Institute unemployment benefit – paid for a stipulated maximum time period, enabling persons in between jobs to be able to sustain themselves at least on the basics. Activate the NIS Unemployment Regulation.
IX. Universal protection of the right to join a trade union and engage in collective bargaining as outlined in Article 147, along with all the attendant rights and freedoms in Title 1
X. Expand the school meal programme to provide a daily balanced lunch for school children from nursery to secondary for all public schools. Parents could opt in or out.
XI. Improve medical services through establishment of fully equipped main referral hospitals in all ten regions with trauma centre, intensive care and diagnostic facilities. More resources must be dedicated to Preventative Care, inclusive of yearly mammogram, pap smear, prostate, basic annual blood tests, etc. as necessary for promoting a healthy lifestyle and society.
XII. Reduce electricity, transportation and gas prices, and reintroduce a public transportation system which would create competition and alternative, and moreso aide the vulnerable in being able to afford and access this service.
XIII. Provide property owners direct and indirect cash transfers through interest-free or very low-interest rate soft loans to improve and maintain residences and immediate home environment. This will lend to the beautification of property, our communities, villages and towns.
XIV. Erasing the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deficit and ensuring its viability given it is the most important pillar safeguarding workers’ income and protecting each against loss of pay as a result of industrial, injury, sickness, maternity and other conditions such as old age, invalidity and loss of income through death of the breadwinner and providing assistance with medical care and other benefits. This will correct the years where NIS was adversely affected by political decisions that militates against actuarial decisions.
XV. Immediately restore the constitutional right to free education (Article 27) – from nursery to university. This should see capacity building in the University of Guyana, technical and vocational schools, and the start of early public education that prepares our children for a technologically driven economy with e-learning. This includes facilitating the expansion and upgrading of Critchlow Labour College, GITC, Government Technical Institute, NAREI, Guyana School of Agriculture, Institute of Development and Continuing Education, etc.
Where racial groups have and continue to be adversely affected by structural racism, policies and programmes the aforementioned proposals could move the process forward in alleviating social, economic, cultural and political disparities and creating an environment for equity and equality to thrive.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
Guyana Trades Union Congress
