– says FITUG Treasurer, Seepaul Narine at FITUG/GTUC May Day Rally
Comrades, once again, May Day is being observed, not only in Guyana but in many countries of the world. At this time, we of the FITUG extend best wishes to the workers of Guyana, and, indeed, the world. We, at the same time also send fraternal greetings and solidarity to the oppressed and exploited of the world who, like us, are yearning and struggling for a better tomorrow.
Comrades, our celebrations of Labour Day this year have taken on even greater importance as we observe the Centennial Anniversary of Trade Unionism in Guyana. As we observe this notable milestone, werecognize the contributions of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow who worked tirelessly in the establishment of the first workers organization in the British Colonial Empire. We also recognize those other outstanding trade unionists who advanced over the last century the rights and conditions of our nation’s workers. Indeed, we owe those unionists a tremendous debt as it is on their contribution we stand on proudly today waving aloft our flags and banners.
We are pleased too, once again, that our celebrations are observed under a united banner. We hold that our collectiveness augurs well for the nation’s workers who still have before them formidable challenges and several goals yet to realize. At this time, we go forward hopeful that we will continue to forge stronger unity.
Local situation
Several matters, comrades, cannot escape our attention, at this time, given the bearing they have on workers well-being. High on that list are the heavy burdens now-a-days that workers are made to fetch occasioned largely by increased taxation. We have, on several occasions, expressed our deep concern and dismay regarding the situation which has seen several essential items falling under the tax hammer. In the last year alone, workers have had to contend with increased water rates and higher public transportation costs. Indeed, Labour Day 2019 finds our workers struggling to keep their heads above water.
Almost daily, comrades, we hear about our people being victims of banditry, robbery and other forms of crime. It appears that crime has been more pervasive and those engaged in such acts have become more brazen. The increased criminality we contend cannot be disconnected from higher unemployment in our nation. We have seen that several enterprises, in recent times, curtailing employment, while others have shut their doors permanently. This is not a healthy development and does not augur well for our people who are generally terrified.
On this Labour Day, it is lamentable that in the birthplace of Trade Unionism in the British Colonial Empire, the Ministry of Labour no longer exists. The workers ministry is now relegated to a Department after more than 60 years of existence. Comrades, it is dismaying that despite the calls by the Trade Union Movement, the Government used its 33-seat majority, notwithstanding the compelling and rational reasons, to disagree with the Opposition-sponsored motion to re-establish the Labour Ministry.
Comrades, Collective Bargaining is another matter that has attracted concern but continues to receive scant attention. Comrades, in 2015, no lesser than then Presidential candidate, now His Excellency President, David Granger, undertook at the GTUC Rally that “…that unions can sit down with employers and restore collective bargaining…”. Today, that undertaking remains unfulfilled and workers’ rights are ignored in this regard. The Finance Minister in his 2019 Budget address did say “…the wages and salaries of public servants will be increased in 2019, after discussions with the respective unions”. But comrades, we heard this before, and to date we are awaiting the fulfillment. We urge though that the Government honour its commitment and respect our laws which have made Collective Bargaining a right and not a concession. Too long companies and institutions have been allowed to ride roughshod and trample on the rights of Guyanese workers along their journey
Labour Day 2019, we recognise, finds our country experiencing some degree of uncertainty. In a few days we should be receiving the fateful decision from the Caribbean Court of Justice that will, one way or another, impact our politics. The FITUG recognizes that several views have emerged on the matters now engaging the attention of our country’s apex court. Here, we have seen what seems, to be selective compliance with our Constitution. We hold the view that piecemeal application is not in our interest and neither does it set a good precedent.
Another matter which hangs over our head is the several concerns regarding our democratic culture. These sentiments are of deep concern recognizing that it was the working-people who played a significant role to bring about the restoration of democracy in Guyana. Today, faced with new challenges to our still growing democracy, we need to raise our voices loudly against attempts to undermine our democratic systems and for those who are charged with upholding our democratic system to ensure there are proper safeguards to strengthen citizens.
Labour Day 2019 will also be the last time we gather before we our country enters the ranks as a commercial oil producer. We continue to hear large sums that would flow our way, and the many concerns that have emerged cannot be discounted. We are of the strong view that a better deal could have been secured taking into account of what has transpired in other parts of the world. As extraction is heightened and investments recovered, significant sums could very well reach our coffers. However, we see there is no clearly defined plan regarding the use of our oil revenues to ensure that it benefits our people even after the resource is exhausted. The talk of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) appears to be good on the surface, but such policies require strong institutional safeguards if we are going to avoid the pitfalls that many countries have faced and are facing.
As we consider oil, we have seen several foreign-owned enterprises setting up shop obviously to take advantage of the sector. In this vein, in recent times, we have also seen the actions of some foreign enterprises towards workers. We well recognise that their actions are largely no different from what occurred elsewhere as well. We are not averse to investment, be foreign or local but it must not come at the expense of workers’ rights and conditions. In such circumstances a Ministry of Labour is even more missed.
Sugar Industry
Comrades, the treatment of the thousands of Guyanese still linked to the sugar industry cannot escape our attention on this Labour Day. The workers have received the shabbiest of treatments as they remain the only group in the State sector to have not gotten any improvement in pay since 2015. It is baffling to understand why the sugar workers are being treated with such disdain and it appears that this is plain eye-pass and blatant discrimination.
At this time too, dishearteningly, many of the 7,000 Guyanese who lost their jobs arising from the industry’s minimization remain hard-pressed. It was interesting for us that the Minister of Finance in his 2019 Budget address said the sugar sector “…has huge potential for growth, being pivotal to increasing household incomes, reducing unemployment and, ultimately, lowering the poverty rate”. So, if this is really the case, we ask:- why did the Government close the estates and created thousands of new poor? Clearly, this further serves to demonstrate the callousness of the decision to minimize the industry.
Comrades, we see too the apparent confusion surrounding the sugar industry which could very well derail efforts to improve the viability of the remaining GuySuCo estates. We, once again, repeat there is an urgent need for a workable plan involving the workers and their organizations which will strengthen any and all efforts to attain the desired goals. We want the industry to succeed as a large number of Guyanese depend on its operations. We have seen the ramifications of the vacuum created by the closure of estates. We hasten to point out that there is no singular magic bullet but hard work, commitment, knowledgable personnel and, of course, a motivated workforce are critical elements in overcoming the difficulties.
International Situation
Comrades, Labour Day is a day when we raise high the banner of solidarity of the international working-class. The working-class of the world have written, selflessly, glorious and inspiring chapters of struggles that impacted positively on our lives and influenced profound socio-economic change in their respective societies.
In our day, we are witnessing new challenges levelled at those who historically thrived on wars, conflicts, oppression and exploitation. These ruling forces are unable to suppress the reinvigorated struggles erupting on all continents seeking World Peace, deepening of democracy, an end to poverty, respect for countries sovereignty and consistent and focused efforts to address climate change which is reaching a critical level.
We express, from this platform, our sincerest solidarity to all peoples who are engaged in this fight today for these causes.
Conclusion
Comrades, on this Labour Day 2019, let us recognize that we need to be more assertive in demanding our rights and insist that we be involved in the decision-making processes that impact our lives. Today’s conditions do not call for complacency but for greater activism and for united and principled actions.
We extend May Day greetings to all of you present here today and, indeed, to all working-people, all citizens of Guyana!
Long live Proletarian Internationalism!
Long live Labour Day 2019!
