Dear Editor,
It is with great disappointment that I address the recent unilateral announcements made by President Irfaan Ali on salary and one off cash grants for public sector workers. The decision to make such an announcement without proper consultation and negotiation with the relevant unions and workers is a blatant disrespect to their efforts and contributions to the Guyanese society. It is no secret that our teachers, nurses, doctors, police and soldiers work tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of our society. They are the backbone of our nation, working tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy. Yet, despite their invaluable contributions, they are treated with little to no respect, with woefully inadequate salaries and minimal basic benefits.
I acknowledge the critical role that unions play in advocating for their members. However, it is frustrating to see that some of these unions, including the Guyana Labour Union led by Mr. Carvil Duncan, not doing enough to stand up for their members. It is unacceptable that they would agree to such unilateral decisions by the president, effectively abandoning the workers’ best interests. We must ask ourselves, what kind of message does this send to our hard-working public servants? Are we telling them that their efforts are not valued? Are we indicating that their contributions are not significant enough to warrant decent salaries or adequate benefits? It is high time that we start treating our public sector workers with the respect they deserve.
They are the backbone of our society, and we must ensure that they are adequately compensated for their efforts. I urge the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the unions to ensure that the interests of workers are adequately represented. In conclusion, I urge Unions and other union leaders to take a stand for their members in the form of taking to the roads and have peaceful protest and ensure that the government’s decision-making process is transparent and fair. If we continue to take this nonsense from any Government our future will be shaped by small, trivial choices.
Additionally, I implore the Guyana government to prioritize the welfare and well-being of our public sector workers by providing them with adequate salaries, benefits, and resources. Anything short of this is unacceptable and will only serve to further erode the public’s trust in any government.
Sincerely,
Pt. Ubraj Narine, JP, COA
Former Staff Sgt. (GDF), Mayor