Opposition Member of Parliament, Corretta McDonald said the $330B Budget proposed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration offers little hope for the working class.
“One can only conclude that this budget is deemed to be Private Sector friendly and not a budget offering much hope for the working class and the poor,” McDonald told the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, in her maiden address.
In addressing members on both sides of House, McDonald, a renowned trade unionist, lobbied for the National Budget to be revised to reflect a clear philosophical path, positing that as it is, it would appear as though the PPP/C Administration, in crafting the budget, was in the business of plucking numbers out of the air.
The Government, in presenting the budget, indicated that 50,000 new jobs would be created, but McDonald said it is important for the Administration to disclose the sectors in which the jobs will created. But the Trade Unionist was keen on pointing out that even as the Irfaan Ali Administration boasts about its intention to create thousands of jobs, it is engaged in a vicious campaign aimed at firing hundreds of qualified Guyanese due to their political affiliation with the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).
General Counsel at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Amanza Walton-Desir was fired two days after she was sworn in an APNU+AFC Member of Parliament. Richard Van West-Charles, the Chief Executive of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was also dismissed in addition to the Director of Sports, Christopher Jones. Director of the Environmental Protection Agent (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams was also sent a 126-day leave. It is unlikely that he will return to the EPA as Director.
McDonald, while noting that the 50,000 new jobs are likely to benefit the sugar workers, said the Government should desist from the firing of hardworking Guyanese. She noted that the dismissals are occurring at a time when the country and world at large are trying to combat the damaging effects of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Turning her attention to the Private Sector, the Trade Unionist said it is important for persons receive equal pay for equal work, noting that for too long young men and women are being exploited. “It must be noted Mr Speaker, that the minimum wage has become the maximum wage in the private sector,” she pointed out while positing that often times employers live luxurious lifestyle.
McDonald called on the Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton to put in place the requisite order to allow for the minimum wage within the Private Sector to be set at 60,000 as agreed upon by the tripartite committee. Meanwhile, in the area of Oil and Gas, the APNU+AFC Parliamentarian made a case for finances to be allocated to address Occupation, Health and Safety Trade Union recognisation and workers’ education.
