CCWU emphasizes enhanced workers’ livelihoods by improving tax collection mechanisms and ensuring fair taxation of all

Dear Editor,

Happy New Year 2024 to the entire workforce. As we enter the New Year, it’s essential to consider what role the Guyana Labour Movement could play in shaping the future of our workforce and labour rights. As we approach the end of the year, we’d like to take a moment to thank you for your incredible support throughout 2024. Your dedication has been vital to advancing our peace, trade union rights, human rights, and social justice mission. We look forward to continuing this journey together in 2025 and engaging with you even more!  

The Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) is warning all employers to respect workers’ rights with whom they do business. The CCWU intends to go on an offensive against any employer who believes that the time is ripe to ignore Collective Labour Agreements signed on behalf of the workers. I observed that several employers are moving to change working conditions agreed to without recourse to the Union. There seems to be a calculated move by employers to drive fear into workers by insisting that they must do what the employer requires. However, the direction contravenes the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA). This approach conflicts with ILO Conventions and Recommendations.

The CCWU will not sit idly by nor allow any company to throw away labour agreements. Labour Agreements set out the rights of both employers and employees and must be respected. Employers who do not respect Workers’ Rights can expect a confrontation with the CCWU. We are a responsible Union and take pride in that. We give our members the kind of representation that they deserve, ensuring they are protected and supported. Trade Unions originated in defense of and continue to exist to defend workers against exploitation. Such is its primary function because a new role should be considered even the slightest. The movement cannot successfully undertake a more constructive role, one most relevant to Guyana’s social, economic, and political realities, until it is adequately geared. Therefore, I suggest leaving this until the movement is set in the correct gear. 

The Movement has, throughout its history, played a key role in the development of the social and Political structures in Guyana. Furthermore, one of the key elements of a successful adjustment or transformation will be workers’ cooperation and active involvement in the process. Commitment, participation, and cooperation do not come automatically at the push of a button. It must be built up through discussion, information exchange, and agreement at the workplace and in policymaking.

 The unity of the labour movement is not just a value we hold; it’s our strength. It seems threatened, and the situation runs counter to all that the Founding Father Critchlow and their followers and supporters fought and struggled with at the start of the last century. Let’s remember their spirit and stand united. Small developing States such as those in the Caribbean suffer from globalization’s negative impact and the unleveled playing fields. In this scenario, the workers’ only hope is the trade union movement, and leaders must recognize this tremendous responsibility, stick steadfastly to the struggle for justice and fair play in the workplace, and not allow politicians to manipulate them or to become their tools.

There are three significant points about globalization: (1) It is irreversible, (2) It has created unprecedented wealth for some, and it has failed to fulfill the promise made by its promoters – that is, to eradicate poverty from the earth. In addition, Globalization is trending to undermine the national protection of workers’ Rights as set out by the International Labour Organization in its Declaration on “Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.” (3) The World Trade Organization (WTO) does not promote a level playing field; it tends to favour the rich developed countries over the distinct advantage of the poor and small developing countries.    

Science and technology are realities that we must face. They have dire economic and social consequences for developing countries like Guyana. Therefore, it behooves the social partners to sit together and agree on what is possible and what is not. We must together determine where we are, set our goals, and determine how we reach them together. This is now urgent for the social partners, and as a workers’ movement, we must take the initiative. I emphasize that passing and adopting the national budget 2025 could be a milestone in the national effort to create a more equitable national tax system. The national budget will help ensure that the country, especially developing Guyana, can fully participate in sharing tax policies that have far-reaching impacts on workers, communities, and the government.

We believe this framework will strengthen our country’s fiscal capabilities, enabling it to invest more in poverty reduction, essential public services, infrastructure, and sustainable development initiatives supporting a Just Transition. I propose the following aspects of the national budget 2025: The focus on inclusivity and equitable taxation aligns closely with trade unions’ longstanding call for a fairer redistribution of country wealth; The aim is to curtail tax evasion and avoidance by multinationals and wealthy individuals, as well as profit shifting and illicit financial flows that disproportionately harm developing economies; The proposals to give specific attention to the digital economy and the environment; It emphasizes supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing the fiscal space of developing countries like Guyana, and, the inclusion of trade unions and other civil society organizations to ensure transparency in the process.

This initiative will provide governments in developing countries like Guyana with the resources needed to combat poverty, create jobs, reduce income inequality, and enhance workers’ livelihoods by improving tax collection mechanisms and ensuring fair taxation of multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals. I am committed to ensuring that workers’ perspectives are adequately represented. Thank you once again for being an essential part of the CCWU. Together, we will continue to make a difference in 2025 and beyond. 

Sincerely,

Sherwood Clarke

General Secretary/CEO

CLERICAL AND COMMERCIAL

WORKERS’ UNION

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