The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has made public 19 proposals the body feels could move the process forward in alleviating social, economic, cultural and political disparities and creating an environment for equity and equality to thrive.
Pointing out that Guyana, as a nation, emerged from an ethnic history of divide and rule. Race was, and continues to be pitted against race, which remains counterproductive to the social, cultural, economic and political environment, the federated body stated. The framers of the Constitution, the GTUC’s said in principle sought to address this birth defect through forging a political system built on “inclusionary democracy.”
In a statement by General Secretary, Mr. Lincoln Lewis the body proposes legislation to achieve Affirmative Action and to give meaning to Article 13; the return of free university education as a right as enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana; respect for collective bargaining where trade unions exist; the implementation of cash transfers, the lowering or elimination of PAYE and reintroduction of Child Tax credits; the establishment of all constitutional rights commissions, among other
According to the body, forging the motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ requires frank, honest and open conversations on race/ethnicity move beyond that to creating and enforcing systems to make meaningful the nation’s aspiration.
The statement follows:
On Tuesday, March 21st the world marked International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Whereas the date is set aside on the United Nation’ Calendar for the world to acknowledge and reflect it also requires continuous work to make real the aspiration to eliminate racial discrimination by structural and institutional approaches.
The Constitution of Guyana protects persons from being discriminated against on the ground of race (Article 149) and allows for involvement of all Guyanese in the national sphere through inclusionary democracy (Article 13). The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) once again calls on the political leadership both from the Government and Opposition, but more particularly the Government who has day-to-day Executive responsibility, to give serious attention and meaning to the stated articles.
The upholding of these articles required no trust as precondition for implementation as Bharrat Jagdeo has recently inserted into the conversation to move this nation forward in a progressive direction. The respect of citizens’ rights and the responsibility of constitutional office holders is not premised on trust but adherence to the spirit, intent and letter of the law.
Guyana, as a nation, emerged from an ethnic history of divide and rule. Race was, and continues to be pitted against race, which remains counterproductive to the social, cultural, economic and political environment. The framers of the Constitution, in principle, sought to address this birth defect through forging a political system built on “inclusionary democracy.” Should this be practiced, the nation stands to benefit from political cooperation. Such cooperation, most importantly, would recognise that whereas historically voting patterns have been along racial lines, the constitutional right to freely associate also protects the right not to be discriminated against.
It is the GTUC’s belief, forging Guyana’s motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny,’ requires frank, honest and open conversations on race/ethnicity move beyond that to creating and enforcing systems to make meaningful the nation’s aspiration. The undermentioned is hereby being proposed:-
- Legislation to give meaning to Article 13 i.e.- “…to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
- Establishment of all Constitutional Commissions.
III. Legislation to realise the devolution of power per constitutional Articles 75 and 76 to safeguard the Regional and Local government systems by allowing for meaningful involvement of the people and their representative at these levels.
- Legislation to make the National Budget inclusive. The Appropriation Bill should not be passed in the National Assembly by less than 60 percent of the elected Members, which will necessitate inclusionary democracy and cooperation across the political aisle.
- Legislation to realise Affirmative Action including commission, to ensure equity in employment opportunities in the public and private sectors, the awarding of government contracts, access to education and other socio-economic benefits/resources impacting the various demographics.
- Implementation of Direct Oil Benefit/Cash Transfer through Social Programmes. According to the World Bank cash transfers are a Safety Net for many in society because “the provision of assistance in the form of cash to the poor or to those who face a probable risk of falling into poverty in the absence of the transfer. The main objective of these programmes is to increase poor and vulnerable households’ real income.”
VII. Lowering or eliminating income tax (PAYE) and providing tax rebate- Lower PAYE and restore allowance for children. Pay monthly grants to those 18 years and older with conditionalities. Conditionalities can vary from returning to school to pursuing certain educational programmes that vary from time to time dependent on national needs. The approach encourages development of our human resources and channeling same in directions of national need.
VIII. Institute unemployment benefit- paid for a stipulated maximum time period, enabling persons in between jobs to be able to sustain themselves at least on the basics. Activate NIS Unemployment Regulation.
- Universal protection of the right to join trade union and engage in collective bargaining as outlined in Article 147, along with all the attendant rights and freedoms in Title 1
- Expand the school meal programme to provide a daily balanced lunch for school children from nursery to secondary for all public schools. Parents could opt in or out.
- Improve medical services through establishment of fully equipped main referral hospitals in all ten regions with trauma centre, intensive care and diagnostic facilities. More resources must be dedicated to Preventative Care, inclusive of yearly mammogram, pap smear, prostate, basic annual blood tests, etc. as necessary for promoting a healthy lifestyle and society.
XII. Reduce electricity, transportation and gas prices, and reintroduce a public transportation system which would create competition and alternative, and moreso aide the vulnerable in being able to afford and access this service.
XIII. Provide property owners direct and indirect cash transfers through interest-free or very low-interest rate soft loans to improve and maintain residences and immediate home environment. This will lend to the beautification of property, our communities, villages and towns.
XIV. Erasing National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deficit and ensure its viability given it is the most important pillar safeguarding workers’ income and protecting each against loss of pay as a result of industrial, injury, sickness, maternity and other conditions such as old age, invalidity and loss of income through death of the breadwinner and providing assistance with medical care and other benefits. This will correct the years where NIS was adversely affected by political decisions that militates against actuarial decisions.
- Immediately restore the constitutional right to free education (Article 27)- from nursery to university. This should see capacity building in the University of Guyana, technical and vocational schools, and the start of early public education that prepares our children for a technologically driven economy with e-learning. This includes facilitating the expansion and upgrading of Critchlow Labour College, GITC, Government Technical institutes, NARI, Guyana School of Agriculture, Institute of Development and Continuing Education, etc.
Where racial groups have and continue to be adversely affected by structural racism, policies and programmes the aforementioned proposals could move the process forward in alleviating social, economic, cultural and political disparities and creating an environment for equity and equality to thrive.
