The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had felt by now the Government of Guyana would have spelt out its position regarding the future of the ownership of the Berbice Bridge. Our patience for such an explanation has worn thin and thus our resort to a public statement. We believe, such an explanation is necessary taking into account that the NIS and several pension plans are among those holding investments in the Bridge. With the sudden takeover of the operations, the Government has, so far, been silent on how it intends to address the investment of these workers monies.
The FITUG while it could not find favour with what could be described as enormous toll hikes, also, at the same time, cannot ignore that workers could possibly lose monies they would most need in their twilight years. This is a matter we cannot condone nor accept and it is incumbent on the Government to fully and adequately address this matter bearing in mind the repercussions it would have.
The Federation also, at this time, cannot fail to express its disappointment that so far Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson has failed to respond to a request by FITUG and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to engage on the developments regarding the Berbice Bridge. The workers umbrella bodies in a joint letter dated October 22, has sought an audience with the Minister following a similar engagement the bodies had with officials of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI). The engagement,we felt, would have allowed the Government to respond to concerns of the Trade Union Movement and to provide appropriate explanations and clarifications. The absence of a response by the Minister, in our view, is yet another reminder of the esteem the APNU+AFC Government has for the workers and their organisations.
