Gains made must be maintained – Duncan

Over the past 22 years, workers have enjoyed a series of benefits through negotiations and deliberations between the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the government.
The federation hopes to continue to see all workers enjoy these benefits, however, it is concerned with the present situation in the country, FITUG President Carvil Duncan said.

He stated that their fourth Delegates’ Conference is being called at a time when the democracy in Guyana, which the working class once enjoyed, is now being threatened.
Duncan explained that this is a time when certain individuals, because of a “simple majority” in Parliament, are trying to retract the gains that the country and its workers have made during the past two decades.
This is being deemed as a “betrayal” not only to workers in Guyana, but to the entire population, and with this in mind, FITUG is paying keen interest and is monitoring the situation, he emphasised.
According to the FITUG president, his organisation continues to host seminars with the aim of educating workers so that potential leaders can be selected in the future to ensure continuity of the union.
However, with threatening issues, it would destroy the country on a whole and the progress of all workers. Duncan also stressed that his federation will not accept or support cases where persons appear to be working to overthrow the government.
“We are of the opinion that if a government is elected by the ballot, they should be removed by the ballot. Therefore, we are opposed to those who attempt to use their might and power to overthrow the government. We are opposed to those who would do this at the expense of the workers.”
He further explained that workers in many other countries have had to face various challenges due to the economic crisis; however, to date Guyana has not become a victim to any of these.
“Some workers have opted for reduction in salaries and wages. Yet we in Guyana have been increasing wages while our economy has consistently been growing. We have in 2009, our economy grew by 3.3 per cent; in 2010, it grew by four per cent; in 2011, it was 5.4 per cent and it is still growing,” the FITUG president said.
Duncan added that while many persons have also publicly argued that the Skeldon Sugar Factory was a waste of money, today everyone can see the factory’s capability.
“There were some who said in their campaign speeches that Skeldon was unprofitable and that should they gain power, they would de-nationalise sugar. Skeldon too has not only performed, but it has performed excellently,” Duncan said.