FITUG Treasurer Seepaul Narine yesterday said that there should be an equalizing between the private sector and public sector minimum pay and he called on the National Tripartite Committee to initiate discussions on a livable wage for workers.
“Given our economic trajectory our call is justifiable, and we are open to engage in constructive dialogue to arrive at pay levels which are reasonable in the context of our development,” Narine, also President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), said.
He made the call as he delivered the feature address at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) May Day rally at the National Park, Georgetown.
The umbrella union body for a second consecutive year, championed the call for a common minimum wage in the private and public sectors. Last year the union rapped government for the slow progress in implementing the agreed $60,000 minimum wage in the private sector from $44,200. The $60,000 was eventually implemented in June that year. The public sector minimum wage has outstripped the figure in the private sector.
Narine said the unions are cognizant of the impact of the rising cost of living on workers as he mentioned that food prices have risen by 12 percent. While recognizing measures and policies in place by the government to cushion the cost of living, Narine said workers at the “bottom” continue to face challenging circumstances.
It is against that background, he said, the private sector minimum and public sector minimum wages should be equalised to offer relief and breathing room to families who are affected by the drastic price increases.
The trade unionist further stated that wage discussions should also advance an all-encompassing social pact, addressing retirement and retirement benefits, safety and health, working hours and labour productivity.
“Indeed, given our stage of development the need for greater collaboration and co-operation is necessary. Certainly, there are many issues which need to be addressed and we are confident that frank, mature conversations could see a win-win situation”, he said.
FITUG President Carvil Duncan stated that if the country is going to promote the `One Guyana’ mantra, which signals equality for Guyanese, there must be fairness in payment for work across the board.
“While the grass is growing, the horse is starving. Therefore, if we talk about ‘One Guyana’, we must talk about one salary. We can’t get parties earning sixty something thousand and others getting eighty something when they all have to go to the same place and buy the same thing. We need to have in this country a minimum wage for all our sectors so that everybody earn the same thing,” the trade unionist added.
In his address, Duncan asserted that this year’s May Day observance is a signal toward the economic independence of workers.
Add enough
“We need to add enough so that we can take care of our family. We need to earn enough so that we can have a roof over our heads. We need enough so that our children can go to school and we need enough so that we can put aside something for the future,” Duncan said.
In observance of May Day, the unions in flyers shared with workers said they are demanding immediate action for protection of workers at workplaces, improving measures to reduce workplace accidents and fatalities, improved justice for violations of workers’ rights and reducing workplace discrimination among others.
Narine also used the platform to call for the amendment of laws to address new challenges in the labour sector.
He pointed out that the last major revision of the labour laws took place towards the latter part of the 1990s. As a result of the absence of modern labour laws, workers are at a disadvantage as many changes have taken place and new forms of employment have emerged which are not covered in the laws.
“Since then, we have not promulgated any new legislation or pursued substantive amendments…We believe it is time for a comprehensive evaluation of our labour legislation to rebalance the owner-worker relationship,” he stated.
In the same breath, Narine expressed concern over the lax approaches by both workers and employers to occupational safety and health.
He explained that too often workers are not given protective equipment and in other instances when given, workers do not utilize them.
“This is a worrying development and the FITUG sees the need to work with social partners to advance a safety and health culture at work and beyond. We believe it is now necessary to examine the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations, to identify gaps and shortcomings towards implementing appropriate measures,” he underscored.
At the same time, he said the challenges womenfolk face in society have not escaped their attention.
Duncan in his speech said with Guyana’s rapid expansion, the role of trade unions is now more important. He asserted they must speak out and stand up against employers who are looking to exploit the workforce.
“That role, I see it as educating the workers so that they can be a beneficiary of this vast resource. Unless we do that we will end up like some countries when oil money done, everything done…” he warned.
Wedge between our people
The FITUG Treasurer added that they are saddened by the fact that the workers’ movement remains divided when their cause and objectives are mutual.
FITUG, he nonetheless said remains committed to unity in the trade union movement as it is in the interest of the nation’s workers.
“…unity cannot come at any cost. It must rest on the principles of the workers’ movement and commitment to working class ideals and not selfish desires. We are disheartened to know that some colleagues on the other side have departed from those time-honoured principles. The FITUG still holds hope that changes will be forthcoming, and unity is realized,” he said.
He urged the gathering to ignore efforts by persons who are attempting to drive a wedge between the people. Narine, also a PPP/C Member of Parliament, said “I urge to let us ignore these empty barrels and let us move forward together in peace and happiness as ‘One Guyana’. Racism has no place in our society… They have no credibility, and we are certain their shameless attempts to ruffle feathers will not succeed.”
“Those who seek to divide along racial lines belong to a time that has long gone,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Duncan said when the attempts to divide the trade union movement succeed it divides the working class.
“We must stop this confounded nonsense over the divided trade union movement… our aims and objectives cannot be achieved. Therefore we must send a message to our leaders that in unity there is strength, he urged.
