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Workers yesterday turned out in their numbers for the annual May Day March and Rally. The march moved off from Independence Park, Middle Street, Georgetown at approximately 8:30 a.m. through the streets of Georgetown to the Critchlow Labour College for a rally. During the march, members of the Guyana Police Force attempted to change the route which would have shortened the march. They advised the unions they were acting on directive from higher up. Workers resisted the Police’s directive, maintaining permission was granted to by the Police to use the original route, which took them through southern Georgetown and into the College on Woolford Avenue.
General Secretary Lincoln Lewis and former minister Simona Broomes
At the rally workers were addressed by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Vice President Norris Witter, General Secretary Lincoln Lewis and Kenisha Henry from the Guyana Teachers Union. GTUC Vice President Eon Andrews presented the vote of thanks.
The theme of this year’s event was “Building a strong progressive union to respond to the challenges.”
Witter impressed upon workers the importance of solidarity if they are to succeed. He also addressed the breakfast invitation by President Irfaan Ali to the trade union leaders. According to him the trade unions do not need breakfast they need their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining respected. The veteran trade unionist told the enthused crowd the President was being contemptuous of the labour movement to invite leaders to breakfast on the morning they should be bonding with the membership in a march and rally.
Henry addressed the struggles of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Father of Trade Unionism in the British Empire and National Hero. She highlighted some of his accomplishments which included eight-hour work day and paid sick and vacation leave. She called on workers to strengthen their resolve to fight for a better Guyana and improved working conditions.
Lewis laid out the GTUC’s agenda which he said is important to achieve economic, social and political justice in society. The veteran trade unionist told workers “we have serious problems in this country and the trade union movement must reassert its role in society. No longer must we leave it solely up to the politicians to determine for us what is best for us when we predate them in the fight to create a just and inclusive society. They are not interested in these tenets of human development, and we cannot be silent or complicit to wrong doings in expectation a few crumbs will be tossed at us when we must demand our fair share of the pie.”
GTUC’s demands for economic, social and political justice
Calling on workers to recognise that “it cannot be about race and ethnicity when we face the same weather conditions, breathe the same air, and depend on each other for various means of sustenance,” Lewis submit the following 15-point proposal as GTUC’s demands for the creation of a just society:-
“1. 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.
- 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.”
We believe Professor Clive Thomas’ proposal of giving each home US$5000.00 per year is doable. This year Guyana is expected to earn at least US$2.88 Billion. We, the workers, demand our fair share.
- 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.
- 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 unions 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
Lewis said the GTUC’s proposals will be submitted to the parliamentary forces, including the Government, Leader of the Opposition, Alliance For Change, and the joinder parliamentary grouping. According to the trade unionist “we refuse to believe workers cannot see the realisation of at least half of the named proposals before the end of this Parliament.” The life of this Parliament ends on the prorogation for the next General and Regional Elections which are constitutionally due in 2025.
Greetings were brought by Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton. He told workers the government’s housing policy will make it difficult for workers to own homes and made known should the coalition- A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change- return to government they will implement a housing policy that would see a rent-to-own programme. This programme, he said, will allow workers to rent the home and this will be credited to the purchase price of the home. He also talked up the People Centered Approach towards governance that should see policies and programmes that are people-friendly.