By Joseph Allen
Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis is calling on both the Government and the opposition APNU+AFC to get things right as it relates to the benefits and rights of workers.
This statement came at yesterday’s May Day celebration with the union movement still divided and holding separate rallies.
As the curtains came down on the march, Lewis, who spoke at a rally at the Critchlow Labour College said that it remains the responsibility of the Government and the Opposition to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and that they benefit adequately.
He listed 15 demands which the Government and the Opposition should work for.
These include legislation to give meaning to Article 13 of the Constitution 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.”
Lewis also called for legislation to realise the devolution of power per constitutional Articles 75 and 76 to safeguard the Regional and Local government systems by allowing for meaningful involvement of the people and their representatives at these levels. He also stressed the need for legislation to make the National Budget inclusive. The Appropriation Bill, he said, should not be passed in the National Assembly by less than 60 percent of the elected Members. This, he said, will necessitate inclusionary democracy and co-operation across the political aisle.
The TUC General Secretary called for 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.
Lewis also appealed for a Direct Oil Benefit/Cash Transfer through Social Programmes.
Lowering or eliminating income tax (PAYE) and providing a tax rebate were also part of his 15-point plan as was the instituting of an unemployment benefit – paid for a stipulated maximum period, enabling persons in between jobs to be able to sustain themselves at least on the basics.
The trade unionist also called for universal protection of the right to join trade unions and to engage in collective bargaining as outlined in Article 147, along with all the attendant rights and freedoms in Title 1 of the constitution.
Lewis also petitioned for reduced electricity, transportation and gas prices, and a reintroduction of the public transportation system which would create competition and alternatives.
Erasing the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deficit and ensuring its viability was also another of his calls along with the restoration of the constitutional right to free education.
Lewis says that the goals can only be achieved with both Opposition and the Government forging ahead.
“We shall pass this on to the Government, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the PNC and the leader of the AFC. We are going to walk. As I said to myself earlier, we expect the Members of Parliament who are here with us today will not only walk the walk with us today but you will continue to walk with us as we achieve the list that I have read”, Lewis declared.
Lewis added that he will continue to the raise the issues and believes they could be achieved before the end of the current parliament’s life.
“Comrades, I raise all today, 15 points that we will be crusading on and we want this to be done, much in fact before the end of the life of this parliament”, Lewis said.
He added that ethnicity must also be put aside to achieve the goals of the working class.
“This future cannot be about race and ethnicity. Let me say to you, all of you, the Amerindian, the African, and the East Indian. We are in the same boat but we are just sitting at different points”, he said
