-Ramotar says opposition actions stem from vindictiveness
In solidarity: President Donald Ramotar joins Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union General Secretary Komal Chand, Guyana Labour Union President Carvil Duncan and other trade union representatives in singing the trade union theme song during Labour Day celebrations
President Donald Ramotar has slammed the combined opposition cuts on the 2012 National Budget and assured workers that the government will continue to be on their side as it charters a path to advance the country’s development.
Ramotar, who was at the time addressing workers assembled at the May Day rally at the National Park, said it is tragic what the opposition is trying to do to ordinary Guyanese.
“I say anyone who has interest in the working class should have supported that budget unconditionally,” he said.
Labour Day 2012 observations came at a time when thousands of public servant workers may be on the breadline following a Gy$ 20 billion cut in the national budget last week by the combined opposition.
President Ramotar told workers at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG) May Day rally that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administration has always taken measures to protect the interest of the working people.
The president said many of the country’s investments are now in jeopardy because of the cuts which were made in the National Assembly last week.
“Our projects… are important project for every single Guyanese,” Ramotar told the gathering.
“Initiatives such as the Amaila Falls Project will see Guyana generating most of its electricity from renewable resources. But when the opposition cut the LCDS from the 2012 budget, they robbed every single Guyanese of the chance to pay lower tariffs.”
President Donald Ramotar speaking with workers at the conclusion of the May Day rally in the National Park
A peeved Ramotar pointed out that his government has always tried to improve the efficiency of the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), debunking claims to the contrary by the opposition. The opposition has been calling for prudent financial management of the power company. “What hypocrisy!” the president said.
He noted that during negotiations with the opposition over the budget, government provided detailed explanations for the various queries of the opposition, but it was to no avail.
Seemingly at his wits end, the president asked what was it that Opposition Leader David Granger needed to ensure that the lives of Guyanese are secured.
“What does he want me to give when they took the LCDS? What do I have to give to Granger for him to participate and make this possible for the Guyanese people?” But while the president is willing to secure a safe future for the people through talks with the opposition, he said he will not be mowed over.
GTU members particpating in the Labour Day march
“I don’t think if he believes that he and I can sit down and run the country as if it were a casino. I refuse to be part of that,” Ramotar passionately declared.
The president said the bottom line must be what is good for the people and not one party.
Although he speculated that the opposition’s actions stemmed from vindictiveness, Ramotar expressed the hope that the opposition will “find enough patriotism in themselves to realise what they doing”.
The president implored the workers that they must be united. “The working class must recognise that the PPP from the very inception has always been a working class party.” He opined that had the working class been united, the opposition would not have been so emboldened.
“I want to promise you that the PPP/ C government will continue to defend workers. We are going to stick by our agreements,” Ramotar said as he assured that the people will overcome the efforts of the opposition.
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