GTUC Proposes Bold Reforms to Uphold Constitutional Governance and Inclusive Development in Guyana

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), in keeping with its longstanding commitment to democratic governance, equity, and social justice, in 2019 presented the proposal below to the Civil Society Forum (CSF) as part of its broader effort to advance a political system that gives full effect to Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana. This article enshrines the principle of inclusive governance, mandating that citizens and their organizations must meaningfully participate in the management and decision-making processes of the State.

The GTUC believes that for Guyana’s democracy to be deepened and its development truly representative, constitutional principles must be translated into actionable legislation, policies, and programmes. This proposal outlines key priority areas—including the oil and gas sector, education, health, governance, and the judiciary—where legislative reform and institutional engagement are essential.

The proposal is intended to guide constructive dialogue with the President, the Leader of the Opposition, and other stakeholders, and to ensure civil society’s vital role in shaping a governance framework that protects the rights and advances the well-being of all Guyanese.

Guyana Trades Union Congress

(July 2019)

Guyana Trades Union Congress’ Proposal to the Civil Society Forum in the Congress’ pursuit to realise a political system consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. Herein is the GTUC’s focus for engagement with the President, Leader of the Opposition et al to give meaning to the extant article through legislation, policy and programmes.

Proposals-

1. Oil and gas industry–

i)Local Content Policy be reviewed by stakeholders, brought to the legislature and become law;

1. ii) Primacy be given to Guyanese- The rights and well-being of local business and workers be protected through strong legislation; preferential treatment be given where the goods, services and labour are locally available; training and education necessary to ensure the competitive advantage;
2. Education– enforcement of Article 27 (Right to free education from nursery to university) of the Constitution of Guyana. Prescribed amount of revenue from oil and gas be allocated to the education sector, and some emphasis be placed on modernising the University of Guyana;
3. Health-health sector structures must be put in place in all ten (10) administrative regions to improve Preventative and Curative care. Urgent need for better cancer, renal (kidney), diabetic and hypertensive care;
4. Composition of State Boards– at least 50 of the State Boards be comprised of  representatives from among the political parties sitting in the National Assembly based on their percentage, with the remaining comprising of the other relevant stakeholders;
5. Establishment of the Human Rights Commission– To give meaning to  Constitutional provisions in Title 1 “Protection of the Individual Fundamental Rights and Freedoms’ via national policy, programmes and legislation, protecting all and leaving none behind;
6. Establishment & continual function of all Constitutional Commissions and Tribunal, and Boards– When the life of one comes to an end and for any reason a new one has not been constituted the life of the current board, commission or tribunal shall continue, until such time that the appropriate action is taken. This ensures continuity in governance;
7. Women representation– Amendment to The Representation of the People Act to make mandatory at least a third of women sitting in the National Assembly. Presently the percentage is confined to being on the List of Representatives but does not necessarily translate to be seated in the National Assembly;
8. Senior citizens– deepening of social services for this demographic who served this nation faithfully. Retirement must ensure continuity of dignity not the beginning of deprivation;
9. Youth– consistent with the Preamble of the Guyana Constitution on Youth put structures and programmes in place, the latter with their involvement, to ensure they are productively involved in self and nation-building/development;
10. National Budget– to be considered passed having received no less than 60 percent of the votes of all elected member in the National Assembly. This would necessitate greater participation by Members of Parliament and the respective communities in ensuring the distribution of resources across demographics and administrative regions in order for passage of the Bill;
11. Judiciary– Full staffing and confirmation and revisiting the present constitutional model to appoint the Chancellor and Chief justice.  A stable, well-staffed and functioning judiciary aids confidence in securing citizens’ well-being and bringing about good governance.

These stated issues require legislative action and consultation with respective stakeholders that will be impacted, to realise laws, policies and programmes, consistent with the Principal Political Objective of the political system (Article 13) and more specifically the cooperative role of the CSF, as a socio-economic stakeholder (Article 38), in realising Article 13.

 Articles of the Guyana Constitution.

Article 13– Objective of political system– “The principal objective of the system of the State is 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.”

Article 38– National co-operation for development of economy– “It is the duty of the State, co-operatives, trade unions, other socioeconomic organisations and the people through sustained and disciplined endeavours to achieve the highest possible levels of production and productivity and to develop the economy in order to ensure the realisation of the rights set out in this Chapter”

Submitted by-

Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
Guyana Trades Union Congress
27^th July 2019.