WPA condemns firing of public servants

As criticisms mount over the unjust firing of public servants by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) says it stands ready to do that which is necessary to ensure those affected receive justice.

To date, well over 100 government workers have had their contracts terminated since the Irfaan Ali Administration took office on August 2, 2020. “WPA deplores the vindictive and crass actions taken against those employees, and [is] prepared to act in having those employees receive Justice,” WPA said.
Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Royden James and his Deputy, Diquan Murray are the most recent public servants to be fired. Over at the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), its Director, Dr. Clive Thomas and Deputy Director Aubrey Heath-Retemyer were fired last Monday, along with the 36 other contracted employees.

“The Working People’s Alliance notes with alarm the crude and undignified manner with which the PPP/C Government has proceeded to dismiss employees without due notice and reasons. Some of these employees were appointed prior to 2015, and their summary dismissal for no apparent reason mocks the pledge to engage in behavior without ill will,” the political party said.

Noting that the nation expects nothing but professionalism from its Government, WPA opined that even when contract provisions permit immediate dismissal, those who have to exit must be able to so with respect.

“WPA urges the government to eschew practices as non- notification of the current office holders of their replacement; dismissals at the end of the work day or without the courtesy of a letter, at the weekends or use of the police where there is no disorder. These methods are in poor taste, do not encourage good industrial relations and are not in keeping with a government that claims to practice inclusive democracy,” the party said.

It added: “Good governance demands that those who in the minds of the PPP are not supporters must not be arbitrarily dismissed as we say in Guyanese ‘left right and center.’”

The country’s leading opposition party – the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – has long condemned the unjust firing of public servants.