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The recent 5th Triennial Congress of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) saw the election and installation of new office bearers, reaffirmation of the workers’ commitment to the 1899 Arbitral Award and solidarity with all Guyanese on the border controversy, and the establishment of a Plan of Action for new three year to assert Labour’s role in society. So says the GTUC in a statement.
Norris Witter, President of the General Workers Union was elected President unopposed.
The three-day Delegates Conference also addressed the 15-point proposal, ensconced in the General Secretary’s Report, which was adapted by the conference. This plan addresses the payment of cash transfers; write-off of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deficit, activation of NIS Unemployment Benefit with a view of paying unemployment benefits to persons who are terminated and seeking a new job.
These were elaborated on by the General Secretary in the 2023 May Day Address. GTUC believes implementation of the 15-point plan could impact the reduction of poverty in the country and the standard of living of citizens.
Motions passed
The conference unanimously passed several motions demanding Government-as employer and constitutional body- respects: i) the right to collective bargaining enshrined in Constitution of Guyana (Article 147) and ensures good faith negotiate between employer and trade union, as stipulated Sect in the Trades Union Recognition Act, Sect 23 (1); ii) the right to free education from nursery to university consistent with Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana; iii)
Guyana/ Venezuela Controversy
On the border controversy the GTUC reiterated its long-held position, i.e, the 1899 Arbitral Award is the final, full and perfect settlement of the border issue between Guyana and Venezuela.
The delegates have also reaffirmed workers’ commitment to the protection and defense of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and mandated GTUC to continue developing synergies and alliances in the workers’ quest to ensure all 83,000 square miles of territory and 53374.7624 square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone remain Guyana’s.
Also up for discussion was the GTUC’s 1998 proposal to the Government of Guyana on the border issue and this includes:-
“1. The establishment of “a fixed body” comprising specially trained and qualified Foreign Service Officers and specialists in international law, languages, defense policy, hinterland development and other relevant disciplines to continually monitor and make recommendations on the status of Guyana’s frontiers.
“2. Collaboration between the departments of government and international affairs at the University of Guyana and state institutions responsible for the formulation and execution of frontier policies.
“3. The development of modern and reliable communication links between frontier communities and the capital.
“4. Vocational training schemes for hinterland and frontier communities designed to equip residents for employment which may evolve from local or foreign investment.
“5. Sustained supervision of trans-frontier trade activities to ensure that these are conducted in a manner that is consistent with the national interest.
“6. The creation of a regime of special incentives to encourage local investments in hinterland communities and more particularly at frontier locations.
“7. The planning and execution of a sustained public information initiative to sensitise Guyanese residing in frontier to the territorial claims against Guyana.
“8. The formulation and execution of development plans designed to reduce the dependency on hinterland-based Guyanese on neighbouring states.
“9. The creation of a Youth Empowerment Scheme which creates incentives for young people to occupy the hinterland of Guyana with a view to the establishment of viable and sustainable hinterland communities.
“10. The cultivation of a culture of professionalism and excellence in the field of diplomacy in Guyana in order to properly refine Guyana’s most effective weapon in the defense of its territorial integrity- the diplomatic weapon.
“11. The rehabilitation of Guyana Archives on frontier issues, particularly those documents which relate to Guyana’s territorial integrity.
“12. Official recognition of the role of Guyana’s mining community and other communities engaged in economic activities in the frontier regions in the defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity.
“13. The formal introduction into the school’s curriculum of courses of studies on Guyana’s frontiers and including studies on the territorial claims against Guyana.
“14. Government support for economic activities, particularly agricultural pursuits, undertaken in the hinterland of Guyana.
“15. Practical support for efforts by the First Peoples to maintain their heritages in a sustainable manner.”
Governance- inclusionary democracy
Addressing the issue of government reaffirmed commitment to work for a Guyana that leaves no Guyanese behind and a system of governance that values all Guyanese as equal participating members of society. To this end, they reaffirmed support for the nation’s political objective as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, which expressly states:
“The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organization in the management and decision-making process of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision making that directly affect their wellbeing”
There was a commitment to work with groups, government, political and non-governmental organisations, and individuals to ensure the spirit and intent of this article manifests in every form.
UN Sustainable Development Goal 2030
In keeping with the global trust of sustainable development the conference recognizes Goal 8 of the 17 which specifically addresses decent work at the workplace. The delegates commits the labour movement not only to participate but get involved towards the realisation of all 17 goals, and has further mandated the GTUC to take this message to the communities where there is organised and unorganised labour.
New Central Executive Council Members
Elected was Norris Witter as President. The Vice Presidents are Leroy Levans (Agriculture), Mehali McAlmont (Education), Alieshaw Barker (Mining and Query) Kimberly Porter (Public Service and Local Government), and Jerome Mars (Factories, Sawmilling, manufacturing and construction.
Esyln Harris was elected Principal Assistant Secretary; Assistant Secretaries are Collis Nicholson, Pancham Singh and Sherwood Clarke and Organising Secretary is Eon Andrews. They will support General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, in the able management of the Secretariat.
Kim Halley and John Tull were elected Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, respectively; and Darren Wade, Dr. Simpson DaSilva, Johnathan Looknauth and Coretta McDonald were elected Committee Members. The trustees are Lelon Saul and Lance Baptiste.
The Congress was held 8th – 10th November 2023 at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Ave, Georgetown
