The Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement in Guyana has called out the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for targeting Afro-Guyanese public officers for contract termination just 72 hours after the party took up office. The local BLM group stated emphatically on Wednesday that it will not tolerate this.
“We wish to state for the record that political victimization and racial discrimination resulting in the illegal and unconscionable termination of contracts and terms of services for public officers will not be tolerated. We encourage workers to stand their ground, and to report attempts by the PPP and its representatives to the police and other competent authorities. If you know of unjustified attempts to terminate your service in violation of your employment agreement, stand your ground and do not give in to the illegal attempts to relieve you of your duties without due process and in accordance with relevant labour laws. If necessary, seek legal recourse and sue the State for wrongful and egregious termination of your employment services and violation of Guyana’s labour laws,” the Movement encouraged.
The call comes as media reports are that several staff attached to the Ministry of the Presidency have been asked to resign by the new PPP/C Government just days after President Irfaan Ali assured Guyanese that public servants have “nothing to fear” under his administration.
The BLM says that it appears as if the PPP/C wants to take up the role of the justice system but this is being observed and recorded. Case in point, it turned attention to the act of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to dismiss private criminal charges against Chair of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh but it’s upholding of the same charges against the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.
The BLM Movement demanded respect for Article 22 of the Constitution which guarantees the rights for all workers in Guyana, regardless of their race.
It stated: “The Black Lives Guyana movement hereby put the Ali regime on notice. We will not stand and allow the destruction of one section of Guyana’s population. We will defend and expose and fight each and every instance of political victimization and racial discrimination. Like Black Live Matter Guyana, the Ali regime should be committed to protect workers’ rights and the right to freedom of association, including political association of every Guyanese. The PPP representatives culpable of engaging in acts of political and racial discrimination must be held accountable and sanctioned. Nothing less is acceptable.”
