The FITUG saw in the April 01, 2020 Guyana Chronicle a two (2) page full-colour centre spread featuring the message of Minister Keith Scott on the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The Minister’s message coincided with the commencement of Occupational Safety and Health month which is celebrated in April, every year. The message which appeared only in the Chronicle must have been very costly given its prominence and glossy presentation. This expenditure comes at a time when our resources in our view would be better used to confront the COVID-19 epidemic. In fact, we saw the Minister in his messaging saying “…no effort should be spared to minimize and control the spread and ultimately the elimination of the disease”. We have no disagreement here but, we believe, we need to set our priorities at the same time.
The Minister, in his missive, reminded us of the deathly and haunting effects of other pandemics and epidemics. It’s a clear wake-up call of what could befall us if we do not, in a meaningful manner seek to address proactively what is now staring at us all. The Minister shared that the Ministry of Public Health has taken the lead. The Federation has recently expressed its deep concern and sincere worry about the leadership of the Public Health Ministry during the current crisis as we contend that more ought to be done. We, like many in the public, were appalled to learn of the treatment of one of the infected persons who ultimately passed on. At this time, the FITUG extends its sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the four (4) Guyanese who lost their lives as a result of COVID-19. Clearly, the situation is deteriorating but it appears those in the lead have little to no grip. This is worrying development not only for us but for all Guyanese.
But coming back to Minister Scott, in his message, he also shared that every Government agency is involved in the ongoing fight. The Minister himself is charged with an important responsibility as the political head of the Department of Labour. With charge to ensure that workers rights are respected and that they are protected at this time of threat, it is dismaying to say that, it appears to us, there has been a lack, if any, response from the Department which he leads. We did see the Minister speaking to some sort of Advisory which he says is intended to assist employers. But we ask where the evenhandedness is. To the best of our knowledge, so far, no advisories or similar information has come from the Department to our nation’s workers. Shouldn’t workers be aware or reminded of their rights? Or is it that their rights do not matter? We sincerely hope this is not the case.
But apart from Safety and Health concerns at this time, which must remain paramount, we ask what about other rights of workers which are apparently nakedly disregarded too in this crisis state. Many businesses have shut shop and workers put on the breadline. There is a clearly spelt out procedure in our Statues that requires the involvement of the Department. It is for us most disappointing that these protections offered to workers have been thrown to the wayside. More dismaying is that the Labour Department appears to be helpless to assist these Guyanese. We believe that this is not the treatment our workers deserve at any time and more so at this time. Several workers have approached us and shared that, without any warning, they have been sent home and their rights trampled upon remorselessly it seems. Yet there is a deafening silence from the Minister Scott and his Department of Labour.
The Minister also rightly advocates appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our Health Sector workers. We agree too that these workers are providing laudable service at clearly a distressing time and that some consideration should be given for them to receive additional reward for their yeoman work. While we share his advocacy we contend that it should not end there. We ask what about our policemen and women, security guards, and all workers generally. Shouldn’t they receive and benefit from adequate protections too? What measures has Minister’s Scott Department taken in leading this call. Certainly, we cannot believe that a nice message would be all.
The FITUG remains most concerned for our nation’s workers at this time. This is not the first time that the Federation has shared publicly its concern regarding the Labour Department functioning. It appears to us that those who have responsibility to ensure they are protected have dropped the ball and many workers are left to drift on their own. This is most saddening for us and is a situation that needs to be quickly and urgently corrected. The risks are real and the consequences are high and, at this time, we urge Minister Scott and his Department to play their role and live up in their responsibilities to our workers.
