– coalition warns of consequences
The APNU+AFC Coalition has criticised the PPP/C government for threatening to knock off and take legal actions against nurses who have been protesting for better working conditions and risk allowance in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement Monday the coalition said that healthcare workers across the world have been demanding better pay, allowances and working conditions since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition noted that workers in numerous countries have threatened to and have actually gone on strike when their demands were not met. These include in England, Israel, United States and Hong Kong among others.
“It is against this background that the APNU+AFC Coalition is horrified by the abhorrent and disgusting threats issued by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and the PPP regime against hardworking frontline health workers who have been putting their lives and health at risk to keep Guyanese safe during a global pandemic which has crippled the world. The threats by Nandlall are unconscionable, heartless, wicked and constitute intimidation and bullyism,” APNUAFC said.
According to the party, without reservation, the APNU+AFC condemns and rebukes Nandlall and the PPP regime for threatening criminal charges and termination of contracts of health care workers at this time when their services are desperately needed.
“Industrial action is a lawful option available to all workers and Mr. Nandlall is misinformed, disingenuous or a stranger to the law should he continue to assert otherwise. The APNU+AFC Coalition is appalled by the callous cold-heartedness being displayed by Nandlall and the PPP regime towards Guyana’s health care workers and the shameless attempt to exploit the circumstances for cheap political gain.”
“On behalf of the Guyanese people, the APNU+AFC demands that the PPP regime shows compassion, care and consideration and engage with the health care workers, understand their needs and provide an acceptable risk allowance, better salaries and improved conditions of work,” the statement read.
The coalition said to bring charges against healthcare workers and terminate their contracts at this time is to jeopardise the health and lives of the Guyanese people and may very well constitute criminal conduct on the part of Nandlall and the PPP regime.
“Should any Guyanese lose their life as a result of any action by the PPP regime in bringing criminal charges against healthcare workers or the termination of contracts, the APNU+AFC Coalition puts both Nandlall and the PPP on notice that it will pursue this to the fullest extent of the law. This is not a time to go to war with the nation’s nurses and doctors and healthcare workers. This is a time to embrace them, treat them with respect, appreciate and recognise their value towards the health and wellbeing of the nation and reward them for their heroic work over these past months as the APNU+AFC Coalition was actively planning to do prior to leaving government.
Nandlall’s letter
In a letter addressed to GPSU President Patrick Yarde over the weekend the Attorney General accused the union of backing an illegal protest undertaking by healthcare workers.
“You must be aware that Essential Services Arbitration Act Chapter 54:01 is a law to which Article 147 (4) refers. This Act provides a procedure for the settlement of disputes in public utility undertakings and in certain services and profits strikes and lockouts in such undertakings or services,” the Attorney General told the Union President.
He said the Act together with the Constitution prohibit strike actions and lockouts without a resort to the procedure laid out in the Act. According to the Attorney General, there is no evidence to suggest that the procedures outlined in the Act were activated in part or whole.
“…consequently, the protest actions which they have embarked upon and presumably plan to continue, are absolutely unlawful and illegal. Indeed, every person engaged in strike action contrary to the Act, commits a criminal offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or imprisonment,” Nandlall warned. He accused the union of failing to inform the healthcare workers on the legal and acceptable industrial course of action that ought to be taken.
GPSU resolute
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said unless and until the demands of healthcare workers are met, the 72-hour ultimatum it issued will remain enforced, noting that the tardy response by the Ministry of Health to a number of agreements is most insensitive and irresponsible.
Healthcare workers across the country including those at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) have been protesting the poor working conditions, the inadequate risks allowances and other remunerations for which they have subjected to.
Records show that the Public Service Union, in 2019, had warned the then Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and the Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) twice that industrial actions would be taken should the concerns of healthcare workers not be met.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony on September 30, GPSU’s 1st Vice President Dawn Gardener said since the start of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Guyana, the situation has deteriorated. The challenges currently facing healthcare workers, she said, are enormous, noting that a number of them have been infected with virus – two of whom – a doctor and an emergency medical technician – have died.
“The infection and hospitalization of healthcare workers occurred because of deficiencies in the way this pandemic is being handled. Further, it has become necessary for these frontline workers to incur significant expenses to protect themselves and their families from being infected by this deadly virus, because of the callous disregard of uncaring employees,” the GPSU Vice President said. Additionally, she said the union has been informed that some frontline workers have been asked to reuse disposal masks and wash their gowns and aprons at home.
