The 6th Delegates’ Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) which was held on March 28, 2018 under the theme “For Betterment through Organisation and Solidarity” was, from all indications, a success. The Conference which was held at the GAWU Conference Room, in Kingston, Georgetown saw nearly eighty (80) delegates representing the Federation’s affiliates – GAWU, NAACIE, GLU and CCWU – taking part in the work of the Conference. The Conference delegates which were drawn from among the Federation’s affiliates membership in the sugar industry, the manufacturing sector, the municipalities, the fishing industry, the beverage and bottling industry, in sales and distribution, in transportation, among other areas, were unanimous in expressing their concern over the current state-of-affairs of the workers.
The Conference’s Opening Session saw FITUG’s President, Carvil Duncan delivering a fiery address as he lamented the situation workers now face. He noted that Guyana has everything as he listed out gold, bauxite, rice, sugar, fishing, and the newly discovered oil resources, among other things, but despite this seeming abundance of natural and physical wealth the country is unable to provide adequate jobs. FITUG’s President drew to attention the state of employment in our country and queried whether in those circumstances our people can reach the promised ‘Good Life’. He pointed out, disappointingly, that several promises made by the Coalition Administration made during the elections campaign remained unfulfilled. He also lamented the poor wages and salaries the workers enjoyed as against what our now-a-days leaders approved for themselves weeks after their assumption to office. Rhetorically he asked: don’t the public servants, the policemen, the soldiers, the teachers, the nurses and others deserve more than the crumbs they were receiving?
Turning to the sugar industry, Duncan expressed FITUG’s utmost dismay with the handling of the industry by the Government. He told delegates, observers and special invitees, that the Government, during the elections campaign promised not to close any estates but then betrayed that promise on its election to office. He charged that the decisions to close estates were not necessary and pointed to submissions by the GAWU and the NAACIE to make the industry viable once more. The FITUG President said it is upsetting that those submissions did not appear to be considered by the Government. He opined that Government seems to be in confusion regarding sugar as it is now seeking billions to re-open estates which should have never been closed. FITUG’s President, in closing, urged workers to remain united and stand together as it is the only way can they be successful in defending their gains and advancing their rights.
Chartered Accountant, Attorney-at-Law and Social Activist, Mr Christopher Ram who delivered the feature address and declared the Conference open in his address also touched on the situation in the sugar industry. Ram pointed out, like the sugar unions, that “GuySuCo and sugar are not just a company, it is part of the economy, part of our culture, part of the fabric of our society…this is a sector that has carried this country since little after its discovery”. He opined by the time the restructuring of sugar was complete some 10,000 persons whose only skills are related to work in the sugar industry would remain jobless. He pointed out that the ‘Washington Consensus’ approach to the sugar industry, that is to privatise closed estates, at best solves only one financial problem. He drew reference to the situation in the UK where workers who were engaged in the coal mines that were privatised during the Margaret Thatcher Government still suffer on to this time, though several decades has elapsed. He said he didn’t believe that the Granger Government wanted its legacy to be a similar situation in the Guyanese sugar belt. Ram called on the Government to pay the sugar workers their outstanding severance pay now, noting that this was non-negotiable; he urged the Administration to give displaced sugar workers lands to engage in farming; he called on the Government to give tax-relief to companies and enterprises which employ redundant workers or which give scholarships to those workers; and he said the Administration should, in keeping with the income tax (in aid of industry) act, provide fiscal incentives for companies which situate their operations in communities of the now closed estates.
Turning to oil, the feature speaker expressed strong consternation with the agreement the Government has inked with Exxon and its partners. The agreement he said, in effect ties Guyana’s hands for the next four (4) decades and he could not help but wonder why the Administration would ink such an agreement especially since the Government was aware that oil in commercial quantities were found. He said, based on his computations, though the oil belongs to the Guyanese people, Exxon and its partners stood to get around 55 per cent of the profits and Guyana the remainder. He also spoke about the need for a more robust trade union movement and charged that there was need for unity. Ram did express disquiet that it seemed the disunity appeared to be personality-based rather than issue-based. He nevertheless urged that the movement seek to become united once more in the interest of the workers of Guyana. The featured speaker also lamented the absence of campaign finance legislation and strongly pressed the need for such legislation especially in view of oil dollars that will soon begin to flow into the country.
The Opening Session also received messages of greetings from the Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Ms Claudia Coenjaerts and from the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) of Jamaica. A minute’s silence was also observed for those trade unionists that passed away since the last Conference.
During the Conference’s Business Session, delegates and observers received the report of the General Secretary. That report which reflected on the work and activities of the Federation since its 5th Conference in February, 2015 also spoke to a number of critical and pressing workers issues. The thirteen (13) page report, among other things, addressed the situation in the world and took note of the rising global inequality and poverty as well as the threats of a new world war and the effects stemming from climate change. It also observed the increased resistance of the world’s people to the difficulties brought about economic and financial crisis which still lingers on today. Turning locally, the report noted that notably the change in Government in 2015 but expressed concern that the situation for the workers has not improved significantly. The General Secretary, pointed out, through the presentation of four (4) budgets, the Administration, has placed greater burdens on the backs of the workers. He lamented the situation in several economic sectors which has seen a contraction of activities and noted that it could result in an increase in poverty.
The Report, also touched, on the cost-of-living situation and drew to the delegates and observers attention, to the rise in the price of several important and staple commodities. The General Secretary noted that the price of utilities have also gone up, in some cases, while, in others, those agencies are seeking increased fees. Taking those factors into account, the Report, addressed the unemployment situation in Guyana reflecting on the findings of the recently released Labour Force Survey. The situation in the sugar industry and the recently established oil industry did not escape the General Secretary’s attention as well. The report also expressed concern over the imposition of increases in the public service, and the vexing issue of crime especially in the context of the deteriorating economic situation. The report expressed optimism regarding the improved collaboration between the FITUG and the GTUC but, at the same time, grave worry was expressed regarding threats to our democracy and pointed out to the not-too-long-ago unilateral appointment of a Chairman of the Elections Commission. Following the presentation of the report, delegates and observers engaged in a spirited debate on the report’s contents which only served to add to the richness of the report.
The Conference also approved resolutions regarding the sugar industry; in solidarity with the world’s oppressed peoples and calling for world peace; calling for trade union unity, and one regarding the NIS. These resolutions will now be dispatched to relevant persons for their attention. The delegates and observers also elected a new Executive Committee which comprises Carvil Duncan, Roxanne Garraway, Michelle Henry, Michael Stephen, Bhagmat Hochand, Dawchan Nagasar, Karen Mapp, Sherwood Clarke, Jagdeo Paul, Bhajan Sukhu, Komal Chand, Seepaul Narine, Aslim Singh, Gordan Thomas, and Harvey Tambron. At the first Executive Committee meeting, elections would be conducted for officers.
The Conference concluded with the Charge delivered by Chartered Accountant, Mr Nigel Hinds who in his presentation pointed out that Unions still play a vital role in reducing exploitation of workers. He said Trade Union offer workers an opportunity to be justly rewarded and to have their rights respected. He urged those present that even small things like joining a picket line or writing a letter to a newspaper to express concern make a difference as they add up to bring about the change desired. He urged that we should not wait for some grand opportunity in the future to effect the change we desire as the future is now. He said the workers play a pivotal role in shaping the future and they need to act together in a progressive manner to achieve their objectives.
The 6th Delegates’ Conference, from all accounts, was a genuine workers forum which concluded successfully.
