Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, and Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni K. Singh led a series of Budget consultations with several Trade Unions from across the country, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) last Friday.
According to the Ministry of Finance, in a release, the consultations allowed for the Unions to raise and discuss issues of interest, particularly in relation to the National Budget and other matters.
The Government team also comprised Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira, Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, Advisor to the Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Labour, Ms. Delma Nedd and Ms. Mae Thomas respectively, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mandanlall Ramraj, and Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Dhaneshwar Deonarine.
Unions affiliated with both the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG) and the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) as well as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) participated. The specific participating Unions included the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU), National Association of Agricultural, Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Clerical & Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), and Guyana Labour Union (GLU), the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) and the General Workers Union (GWU).
Prime Minister Phillips welcomed the Unions and indicated the Government welcomed the opportunity to receive suggestions, comments and other inputs from the Trade Unions on matters of interest and importance in order to inform Government policies in crafting Budget 2024. He also thanked the Unions for their cooperation and interest in engaging with the Government on behalf of the workers they represent.
Dr. Singh said the Government is committed to sustained improvements in the lives of the working people of Guyana. Veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis, who was part of the GTUC’s delegation, told Village Voice News, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and it is left to be seen if the government engaged in another PR stunt or they will respect the Constitution and Laws of Guyana and do right by the workers of this country as is their obligations under these instruments.” According to Lewis , the trade unions have discharged their social and constitutional responsibility by presenting their thoughts in writing and discussing its content, which he said, should these be considered, will improve the lives of workers-past, present and potential. “Time will tell,” he said.
