Public Health Minister and People’s National Congress Chairwoman, Volda Lawrence, has apologised for the recent offensive statements she made about hiring only People’s National Congress (PNC) supporters.
The minister’s apology came after days of widespread criticism and condemnation by Guyanese over the comments. Lawrence was quoted by local news website Demerara Waves as saying, among other things, that her party would place more focus on providing jobs for supporters of the Peoples National Congress (PNC).
After the comments, much controversy erupted, with members of the public citing discrimination with hiring practices of Government.
“The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC; and right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese, and ah want one that is PNC,” she was quoted as saying.
However, on Monday, on the sidelines of Budget 2019 debates, Lawrence under much pressure from the public, apologised for her comments.
“I must be cognisant of what I say and do, and must not allow emotions or political fervour to get in the way. So to all those whom I have offended in one way or another, I humbly apologise,” she said.
The apology comes days after the PNC issued a statement defending the minister’s statement by saying she stands by her words. That statement said Lawrence stands by her views that were made in regard to jobs and opportunities, and the document further mentioned: “The People’s National Congress Reform stands by her views on the issue of jobs and unemployment, that measures are being put in place for the young and industrious to be afforded the opportunity of becoming self-employed or gaining meaningful employment.”
Before the apology was issued, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, had conceded that the ‘employment comments’ made by Lawrence were an unnecessary distraction.
Trotman, in a statement on Sunday, stressed that when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord, favouritism was not envisioned. The PNC is the main partner in the APNU, which is itself a coalition party.
Trotman, who is a former PNC member, said he has known and worked closely with Lawrence for 25 years, and during that time, she has “never shown political partisanship”.
Amidst concerns raised, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that all Guyanese along with human rights groups should join in condemning the “discriminatory” comments attributed to Lawrence, who spoke at Congress Place during a District Convention.
The former President told media operatives that Lawrence’s comments and those of other A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leaders have undertones of racism.
He cited that Lawrence could also be charged for violating labour regulations which speak to non-discrimination in hiring practices.
The PPP had planned to file a complaint regarding this issue with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).
