– calls its irregular, arbitrary, anti-trade union
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Friday slammed the Government of Guyana’s announcement that healthcare workers will be paid a two-week bonus before the end of 2020, describing it as “irregular, arbitrary and anti-trade union”.
“The decision to make the award was done without fully engaging the Union on the matter. This is in conflict with the Trade Union Recognition Act, No.33 of 1997 and ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 151 that were ratified by the Government of Guyana and are in force,” the GPSU said in a statement.
It said given the fact that the bargaining process was not respected, the move by the Irfaan Ali- led Administration can only be described as arbitrary. Health workers, the GPSU said, are working tirelessly to protect the nation by providing quality healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, and deserve equal representation.
“Mr. President, Healthcare Workers have been battling COVID-19 for approximately nine months and continuing, not two weeks. Over the past period, these workers have faced tremendous challenges and this would continue until the threat subsides or is permanently removed,” GPSU said.
The union added: “It is clear that the threat has increased way above initial expectations, because of the increased infection and mortality rates. This would obviously increase the risk faced by Healthcare Workers, who because of the sparse protective resources and uniqueness of the virus, could face infection and possibly death. These workers are committed and should therefore be properly rewarded.”
The Union said that representation was made for transportation to be provided for healthcare workers to travel to and from home to avoid cross infection during the use of public transport, but the recommendation is yet to be accepted by the Government.
“The fact that transportation cost also increased because of the pandemic has exacerbated the situation. It is also recognized that without taking into consideration the increases in COVID-19 cases, an insensitive and irresponsible decision was taken for the public transportation to operate at its full capacity,” GPSU reasoned.
In blasting the Government, the Union said the two-week pay is disheartening under the current circumstances. In a letter addressed to President Ali, dated October 20, 2020, the GPSU sought to address the payment of a “risk allowance” for the duration of the pandemic threat. “The Union wants to put on record that a bonus is different from risk allowance, but while a bonus is well deserved by these workers, it should not be substituted for a risk allowance. Additionally, a realistic bonus should have been at least one month” tax free salary for these deserving workers,” the Union said.
It noted that the payment of a risk allowance was agreed in principle between Government representatives and the Union.
“The Guyana Public Service Union is therefore calling on the Government to respect the workers’ rights and value their contributions. The Government must also respect the Laws of the Guyana and the ratified ILO Conventions on collective bargaining, meet and have discussions with the Workers’ Representative (the Union) on all benefits for the workers so as to arrive at an amicable resolution,” the Union said.
The Union also used the opportunity to call on all healthcare workers to display unity and be prepared to take whatever action necessary to put an end to what it describes as abuse.
