Several unions marched through the streets of the city for World Labour Day 2011, held Sunday, May 1
President Bharrat Jagdeo, at last Sunday’s May Day observances, urged union leaders aligned to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) to follow the steps of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in pursuing for their workers multi-year pay hikes with the government and other employers.
The president was the main speaker at the breakaway umbrella trade union’s rally, held at the National Park as part of Labour Day activities.
Over the years, FITUG has not been rallying with the GTU because of differences in governance of the TUC and other related issues.
In his address, President Jagdeo reiterated government’s support for the trade union movement in Guyana, while advocating the need for unions to work together.
Touching on the global financial crisis, he said that while other countries around the world have been severely affected thereby, Guyana has increased workers’ wages and salaries on an annual basis.
President Bharrat Jagdeo
Jagdeo emphasised that while countries such as Spain and Portugal have solicited external assistance to avoid bankruptcy, Guyana has been making strides in repaying its debts, as only four per cent of revenues are allocated for debt repayment.
The president made reference to a number of programmes initiated by the government to assist working- class people, including the free uniforms for school children.
Jagdeo also told the gathering that the government has embarked on one of the most aggressive education programmes anywhere, and it will cost more than Gy$24 billion and will be reinforced by the recent launching of the educational TV channel.
Another US$20 million will be spent on the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme, which will benefit more than 90,000 families throughout the country.
With respect to hydro power, the president disclosed that, before the end of the year, the government will close the deal on the issue, which will automatically see a 50 per cent decrease in the cost for electricity in Guyana.
No quick job loss
FITUG President Carvil Duncan related that Guyana is in a better position than other Caribbean countries and North America, since this country has not been losing jobs as quickly as those have.
Duncan noted that the president had recently announced that, based on the development plan this government has been unfolding, Guyana may very well have to import labour in order to meet its requirements.
While conceding that divisions in the trade union movement exist and united representation under a common umbrella does not prevail, Duncan said he does not accept that the goals of the trade union umbrella bodies are different and their objectives varied.
He noted that a meeting was recently held by the two bodies to signal the commencement of Labour Week, and he was optimistic that the labour unions have identical foundations.
“It is a proof of our willingness to cooperate in the interest of all workers.
“While our strategies are different, none should doubt that our objectives are the same,” Duncan noted.
Acknowledging that many workers are finding it extremely difficult to exist on the wages they earn, since wages have not kept pace with the rate of inflation, Duncan said that FITUG has been demanding that the minimum wage must be a living wage.
In closing, Duncan reminded the gathering that the theme “Ensuring economic prosperity through protecting our rights” demands that they understand how the global economy is impacting small nations like Guyana.
He also recommended the need to have a trade union initiative to confront the challenges that workers face.
