The industrial environment has turned for the worse. Workers are being exploited by foreign capital in their land and in violation of the laws which the Ministry of Labour is turning a blind eye to. Workers are toiling for more than 40-hour work weeks, with no overtime.
Workers are working more than eight-hour a day without overtime. Some are working under conditions where employers, including the government, have no regard for Occupational Safety and Health regulations.
Officials of the government are evidently pre-occupied with only one thing, i.e., getting their hands on the oil money. The working class, who turns the wheels of production are immaterial to this crew of political leadership.
The present PPP remains a disgrace to the early industrial legacy of Cheddie Jagan.
The rights workers fought for and achieved are now under greater threat of being eroded. It is of grave concern as foreign capital comes to our shores, the willingness of the government and others to relinquish these rights for a mess of pottage is reversing this nation to early colonial days.
The National Insurance Scheme (NIS)- our money- is in financial trouble due to years of mismanagement. It is insufficient for Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to merely state the Scheme’s inability to pay increases and of their intent to maintain pension. NIS is the workers only safety net and it must not be allowed to become insolvent through poor political policies.
The Vice President must also not be given opportunity to de-emphasise the impact of his party, and his particular mismanagement of the Scheme through bad investments of its Fund, as in the CLICO, Pegasus and Berbice Bridge deals, and through policies implemented to pay benefits that bleed the Scheme of valuable contribution income derived from employer/employee contributions as well as that of the self-employed.
Pensioners are a very vulnerable segment of any population. Many are struggling in spite of NIS earnings as a result of spiraling cost of living, COVID 19 hardships and having no other source of income or support systems. The dignity and rights of society’s seniors are under threat by conditions not created by them but by reckless governance.
NIS must immediately address the state of affairs that threaten the livelihood of our senior citizens, workers of Guyana, and their dependent families. Whatever problems exist with the Scheme, which ought to be laid squarely at Jagdeo, President Irfaan Ali, and the PPP/C’s feet must be fixed, forthwith.
The present PPP remains a disgrace to the early industrial legacy of Cheddie Jagan. The rights workers fought for and achieved are now under greater threat of being eroded. It is of grave concern as foreign capital comes to our shores, the willingness of the government and others to relinquish these rights for a mess of pottage is reversing this nation to early colonial days.
Workers unite. Open your eyes. Recognise. Do not be fooled. Singularly we are not a force against the vicious onslaught and threats to our political, social and economic survivals. Together we are. In unison we must demand our seat at the table in the working and national environment, consistent with our rights to freedom of association, collective bargaining and inclusionary democracy (Articles 147, 149C, 13). Solidarity forever, Solidarity Forever…The Union makes us strong.
