Dear Editor
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) took careful note of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Ifraan Ally’s address to the nation as it regarded the national strategy to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Our grouping, since the arrival of the virus on our shores, has been taking keenly following the unfolding situation and has aggressively championing measures to alleviate the hardships faced by many Guyanese. During the closing days of the Coalition Government we advanced several proposals which, unfortunately, were not considered by the then Administration.
It was, therefore, with some degree of comfort that we learnt from the President that his Government is working aggressively to rollout measures to staunch the spread of the disease, to assist those in hardship, and to stimulate economic activity. Much of what His Excellency shared was previously championed by FITUG. We are most pleased that the President and his team would have, obviously, been listening to our calls, soberly assessing them and now taking them onboard.
The nation was also told that there is more work being done to advance a robust programme to bring an ease to the suffering of our people who have been burdened for many months now. This for the Guyanese people must be pleasing news and we are sure that they, like us, are anxiously waiting to see what the new Government will do in their interests. We were also happy to learn too that emphasis is being placed on getting our nation’s children educational pursuits back on track. This was a matter that deeply concerned the FITUG as well given the obvious inimical repercussions this has. Clearly, unorthodox and novel solutions are required which take account of our geographic, economic and other challenges.
We were happy to see too that daily testing has been doubled allowing us to have a clearer picture of the true extent of the situation. The FITUG had advocated many weeks ago more aggressive testing. We felt that this would have allowed the nation to get a better handle of the situation. Unfortunately, this logical suggestion fell on deaf ears and testing was often pursued when infected persons reached a critical state. Nevertheless we expect testing to be heightened and while this may reveal a bleaker picture it provides critical data to correctly analyse the situation.
At this time, the FITUG recognizes a call from some for a national lockdown. While on the surface this seems to be prudent, we hold, such a measure needs to be thoroughly considered. We must take into account those workers who have no cushions or had their cushions already exhausted. Also the prolonged impact on the economy must be borne into account. In as much as a lockdown may bring some respite, any lasting success can only be realized if we, the Guyanese people, act in a responsible and safe manner.
We continue to observe many persons not wearing or inappropriately wearing their masks. Also too many people continue to unnecessarily congregate disregarding the social distancing requirements. No lockdown or curfew can cure such irresponsibility rather it is our collective actions as Guyanese that will see us through this crisis period. We again urge, as we have before, that Guyanese all wear their masks when in the public, observe social distancing, and practice sanitization. It is these actions that will bring the lasting solution we seek.
Regards
FITUG
