President says Guyanese workers can be proud of achievements made over the years – Granger calls for unity amongst trade unions

By Sabatini Daniels –

President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday said the deep rift within the local trade union movement is caused in part by some of the unions being out of touch with the realities of the country.
He was at the time addressing the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Labour Day rally held at the National Park in Georgetown.
The head of state said the democracy which exists within the country is not reflective in the trade union movement and emphasised the need for the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to democratise themselves, since this is at the heart of reuniting the trade union movement and the working-class people of the county.

He highlighted that the working people can be proud of the achievements that have been made thus far, adding that one of the most important achievements in Guyana was the establishment of democracy which now allows workers to choose their union.
“Only a few years ago in Parliament… workers got the right to have a union of your choice.”
He stated that the correct environment has been created in Guyana for workers to take control of their unions to ensure that leaders are democratically elected. This, he said, will ensure unity in the trade union movement, which is vital for the development of the country. He noted that ‘May Day’ is the perfect time to reflect on some of these obstacles which stand in the way of development for workers and it is a time for various organisations which fight for workers’ rights to join to remove those impediments.
Reminiscing on the frequent cries from workers for more wages and salaries, Ramotar said, the government is sympathetic to their causes and is constantly doing its best to improve their lot; however, it cannot infringe on the respective unions’ ambits.
Non-wage benefits
Despite government being unable to address some of the pressing issues of workers, the president explained that the administration has tried its utmost to provide non- wage benefits in society, making reference to the various developmental projects mapped out.
Making reference to the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity, Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the Specialty Hospital projects he said: “These projects are launching grounds to take Guyana into the future and to make Guyana strong.”
It was against this backdrop that Ramotar turned his attention to the controversial budget cuts, criticising the opposition for the move. He emphasised that Budget 2013 had the highest form of consultation, noting that the government attempted to implement strategies from its own manifesto and those of the Partnership of National Unity and the Alliance For Change.
Ramotar noted that he told the opposition parties that government was ready to talk and provide answers about any of the projects that they have difficulties with.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger said the labour movement in Guyana is in turmoil, telling a rally at the Critchlow Labour College on Wednesday that the multiple issues affecting the working class in Guyana was a signal that the time has come for a united body.
Granger noted that too many problems are lingering among organisations, which need to be addressed with urgency. He said: “Every day we go to the National Assembly, there is some demonstration outside, why is that? The working people are in turmoil, today you go, rice farmers come down from Essequibo complaining about prices for rice, complaining about markets for rice.”
Citing further instances, Granger made reference to the nurses who came from Linden to protest about their non-payment of gratuity.
“Next week, you go to the National Assembly, villages from East Bank Berbice are complaining about roads [and] Amerindians… are complaining about pollution and taking away of their land by miners. Every day is a problem,” he added.
He believes the only way to quell the struggle of labour and poor working conditions, is to have a unified trade union movement and to pursue the fight for rights and freedom, which was fought for by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who was the first man in British Guiana to formalise labour negotiations and is referred to as the father of trade unions.
Youth employment
The opposition leader also bombarded budget 2013, noting that its contents do not cater for the needs of the working society. Making reference to the theme that the GTUC marched under “Job creation for youth employment”, Granger said the financial document lacks any avenues to generate careers for young people.
“The budget does not contain enough for our young people, every single day young people are dropping out of school… we want workers who are skilled… but we want workers who can be guaranteed employment,” he stated.
Granger also advocated that 2013 be a year for citizens to enforce solidarity and for equal benefits among trade unions and Guyanese of all ethnicities and backgrounds.