The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has carefully examined the 2020 National Budget which was presented on September 09, 2020. With the budget debates commencing giving all Guyanese a chance to learn of what the Government has in store for them, the Federation recognises that the Budget is geared to improve the well-being of all Guyanese. Indeed, we see the first Budget of the Irfaan Ali Administration starting on a good footing as it reverses many of the draconian measures that were implemented by the former Coalition Government.
Indeed, we hold that Guyanese have much to look forward to and to be pleased about. No longer hangs over our collective heads, the axe of VAT on our consumption of electricity and water. No longer do we have pay taxes on medicine, private health care or to pursue private education. No longer are our farmers expected to pay taxes on inputs which ought to redound positively to the cost of food. Similarly, we see too provisions made to offer relief to Guyanese families arising from COVID-19 while our school children will benefit from increased uniform allowances and the reinstitution of the education grant which was withdrawn by the previous Government. Our pensioners have much to be excited about as well as they will benefit from higher old aged pensions and free water supply. All in all we were heartened to learn that as much as twenty billion dollars will be aggregately put into the pockets of the Guyanese people. This is a massive windfall for our people and one we are sure they desperately need.
We recognised too that the new Government was caught between a rock and a hard place with tens of billions spent or committed even prior to its assumption to office. This undoubtedly must have caused the incumbent Administration to temper its basket of goodies it wished to deliver to the Guyanese people. Of course, we believe, the Guyanese people deserve more. Many workers had anticipated an increase in the tax threshold. While we know the Government, undoubtedly, wanted to do and to give more, it had to contend with the bad hand it was dealt.
The Budget also provided an indication of how our economy was mismanaged during the term of the previous Government. The Coalition spent over $1.2T during its lifetime which it collected from the sweat of the Guyanese people. It causes us to wonder where our hard-earned monies went and what value did the Guyanese people get. From the all indications, large sums were used to fatten the former elites and find jobs for the boys and girls. Significant sums, apparently, were also wastefully utilised as we see the monstrosity of Durban Park and the new COVID hospital, where hundreds of millions more had to be earmarked. Apart from the millions, if not billions, went to supportive individuals and enterprises. How can we forget the drug bond or the multi-billion settlement on the appearance of a letter?
FITUG recognises that there is a great deal of work to be done and much to achieve but recognises the Administration has begun on a positive footing. Certainly, careful examination is required as the new Government must untangle the many messes it inherited as it continues in its thrust to deliver development to the people. We believe that the Budget has made a concerted effort to touch the life of every Guyanese man, woman and child. This is a welcome effort especially given the heartlessness which prevailed before. It is in this regard that we hold Budget 2020 as pro-poor and pro-people.
