The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) continues to remain disheartened as it considers the ongoing response of the authorities to the prevailing COVID-19 crisis. We must reiterate our firm view that the response thus far is substantially lacking. We hold that there is an absence, or perhaps ignorance, of important elements in our nation framework to restrict the spread of the virus. The prevailing state-of-affairs, the Federation sees as clearly unhelpful at this point in time.
In recent days, the authorities, without even a hint of forewarning, imposed a lockdown/curfew on the evening of April 03, 2020. While we accept there may be good reason and rationale for such a decision, the order appears to be rushed and devoid of some important considerations. Our contention in this regard, has been borne out by the necessity to offer several clarifications and to make amendments in the subsequent hours. It causes us to be concerned whether every and all elements are taken into consideration when making decisions in this crucial period. It’s hard not to wonder whether seat-of-the-pants decision-making is, seemingly, being employed. If this really is the case, as it seems to be, this can only bring about more harm.
The Prime Minister, who is also the head of the national task force, at a press briefing indicated that the authorities have some 22,000 words of recommendations. His utterances only causes us to be exasperated at this time. We ask what good is it to have such voluminous recommendations when people in our nation are in anguish and despair. Today, we have too many Guyanese who are without work and are finding it even more difficult by the day to feed their families. To sound fanciful is one thing, but when people’s lives and wellbeing are at stake it is a completely different situation.
We did see the Administration announcing that hampers will be shared to at need Guyanese. We welcome this initiative and urge those who can afford to lend assistance to be supportive. In as much as we welcome this development, we ask what criteria would be used to identify the needy. In our view, this initiative should benefit all, unless they so refuse. To pick and choose we contend is something fraught with perils and could well lead to finger pointing. Of course, we have high expectations that this initiative be sustained.
But apart from food, Guyanese have other obligations and concerns. We hasten to wonder whether they are among the recommendations the Prime Minister referred to. There has been a marked reduction in the cost of fuel, a call that was made by our Federation, among others. While we applaud this development, though we believe a sharper decrease was possible, we reiterate our calls for a comprehensive social and economic package to be formulated and implemented at this time. To this end, we urge sober considerations and positive approval of the following measures:-
- That no worker suffers any loss of pay. Here we urge the Government to lead by example and to work together with private employers to ensure that their employees do not unduly suffer;
- To approve direct financial support to self-employed and the jobless to ensure they are able to sustain their obligations and maintain their families;
- A complete waiver of income and value-added taxes for at least six months to cushion the hike in the cost-of-living;
- A suspension of electricity, water, phone and internet tariffs for all households for the next six months;
- To work out arrangements with hire purchase, commercial banks and other lending institutions for a suspension of payments for six months and rescheduling of debt obligations of workers and for those unemployed to be afforded a write-off of their indebtedness;
- Distribution of masks, gloves and other necessary items to the wider populace;
- Exemption from duties and other fees and taxes of all items critical for our peoples wellbeing and to confront the COVID-19 virus
- Provision of appropriate and adequately personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as free transportation to all frontline workers, especially those in the hospitals who are providing yeoman service;
- Ensure that workers rights are protected and safeguarded and that no worker is exploited during this period, and
- Extension of the deadline for submission of income and other tax returns.
We urge again too wide scale testing, starting with the most likely to be exposed. We see this as a means to get a better handle of the situation and thus be able to overcome the crisis in a shorter period. This approach we are aware has been pursued elsewhere with great success and should be an essential component of our national response. We also urge too that the tests results be known to medical professionals as soon as they are available. This, we believe, will prevent a lag in treatment which could be critical in saving lives.
At this time, it did not escape our attention that the lockdown comes as there was a decision to engage in a recount of the votes cast in the March 02, 2020 election. This is also a most pressing issue of our times. The FITUG contends that it should be concluded in short order for our country and people to move forward and for us to better address the COVID-19 issues that will linger on even after the health crisis is behind us. The uncertainty that prevails is unhelpful and a count that is credible and supervised by reputable individuals and organizations should be pursued without any further delay.
The FITUG urges all Guyanese to continue to stay safe, to take adequate precautions and to heed the advice of the medical experts.
