The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Government imposition of the 6.5 per cent increase in wages/salary. In a statement GTUC also warns the continuous descend into lawlessness does not augur well for citizens’ welfare and legitimacy of any government. “No government that believes in the Rule of Law, which governs modern society, would flagrantly continue to violate the tenet on which modern societies are built.
GTUC has called on Government and its allies to honour the Rule of Law and acknowledge the importance of same to a harmonious working climate, production and productivity. The Congress underscores the point by referencing Article 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Law that expressly states:
“Where a Trade Union obtains a certificate of recognition for workers comprised in a bargaining unit in accordance with this Part, the employer shall recognised the Union, and the union and the employer shall bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of Collective Bargaining.”
The workers deserve no less, the federated body charges.
The new Central Executive Council (ExCo) of the GTUC, at its first meeting held on 14th December, took decisions on several matters, including exploring taking court action against the Government. Deliberated at length is Government continuous disregard for unionised workers’ right to collective bargaining. In the meeting, also attended by Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), not affiliated to the GTUC, the call was also made to the court to expedite the GPSU’s case.
In July 2022 the GPSU filed action requesting the court order the government to comply with workers’ right to collective bargaining. The matter is put down for hearing in February 2024. The GTUC notes notwithstanding the GPSU’s case the federated body is also examining the possibility of filing separate action.
“There is no reason why the government cannot honour the very law they helped draft and passed if its intent towards all the citizens of Guyana is honourable and non-discriminatory,” the Congress contends. Additional to moving to the court to seek legal resolution, the ExCo has taken a decision to commence action of nationwide sensitising of workers to the dangers of only addressing the quantum of increase wages/salary while at the same time turning a blind eye to the violation committed by this government.
The ExCo has commenced the examination of a proposed Plan of Action, arising from its just concluded 5th Triennial Delegates Conference. Among those decisions are, reconstruction of the women and youth arm, focusing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2030 and deconstructing GTUC 15-point plan in its pursuit of social economic and political justice for the working class- past, present and future.
GTUC meets IACHR Office of the Special Rapporteur on Press Freedom
In the GTUC also notes its General Secretary (GS) Lincoln Lewis meeting the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Press Freedom from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to report on the state of free speech in Guyana, particularly the denial of access to state-owned media.
The organisation says in the meeting, which was held on Monday 5th December, the GS told the Office of the Special Rapporteur there has been a pattern of government denial for years and cited a few instances as stated hereunder:-
“1. Whilst other media houses provided coverage of the GTUC’s May Day March and Rally, held on May 1, the state-owned Guyana Chronicle did not.
“2. Whilst all the media houses were invited to provide coverage of the GTUC’s Triennial Conference held in November and some private media provided coverage the state media did not.
“3. Whilst other media houses-noted Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Village Voice News- carried the GS’ response to acting President Mark Phillips’ information to the IACHR the Government does not practice discrimination. Evidence of discrimination was provided in the GS’ letter.
“4. the state media did not, thereby denying a section of the Guyanese readers an opportunity for clarity on the issues raised.
“5. The state media also deny access to or the right to respond to persons even though they would often carry negative and misleading stories from government operatives and allies.
“Some private media working closely with or in tandem also deny opposition or opposition perceived sources access to, or the right to respond to persons even though they would carry negative messages from government and government supporting forces. This is widely believed to be done often due to fear of government backlash such as withdrawal of advertisements.”
Lewis also told the IACHR such actions are representative of an orchestrated effort by Government to stifle dissent and limit alternative views to those which they propagate to influence the minds and behaviours of the Guyanese population.
“He further advised this has been on ongoing practice that has resulted in many now engaging, consciously and unconsciously in self-censorship, being fearful that daring to speak a narrative different from that adumbrated by that of the governing party will get them in trouble, where they are attacked verbally, physically, economically, and they can even be incarcerated, and face made to face trumped-up charges even though there might be no intent to prosecute. In other words, they are tried in a court of public opinion and not through the judicial system.”
