The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has seen pockets of protest actions by nurses over the last few days. We acknowledge that the nurses and other frontline workers have done and are doing a yeoman job in this pandemic period and appreciate the sacrifices they are making to safeguard the nation’s health at this point in time. We know the situation is obviously challenging and all our frontline workers have gone above and beyond. Indeed, we are eternally grateful for their efforts.
Through the media, the Federation has learnt that the nurses are demanding risk allowances and other improvements in their conditions. While they could be some justification in the some of the calls of the nurses, we, at the same time, recognise that those calls are being actively addressed. The recently approved 2020 National Budget has approved certain sums directed towards the very issues they nurses are expressing concerns. Maybe it was a case that the nurses were unaware or it could be the case they were misled? Whatever that case was, we recognise that the Government has brought clarity to the issues and it is expected with the Budget now being approved and the Appropriation Bill soon to be assented to by President Irfaan Ali aggressive efforts would soon be made to bring relief and comfort to our hard working nurses and all front line workers.
We saw too concerns being expressed about pay rise in the public sector. There was talk coming from some quarters that a pay rise may not be possible this year with such a feature being absent from the Budget. The question of pay rise in the public sector, with the exception of 2015, has not been addressed by the Budget for many years. Pay rises had been, for the last few years, approved by the Government and apparently endorsed by the major union. While we know that the new Government has found itself between a rock and a hard place, we saw this matter being clarified with Minister Juan Edghill not ruling such an improvement out. The Minister, according to the media, informed the National Assembly that the Government, at an appropriate time, would address the issue.
We are hopeful in the coming days and weeks that the several policies approved by the Budget will be rolled out to bring relief to our beleaguered people. Indeed, the situation is trying and people require all the help they can receive. We know too that the Government, in spite of its limitations, has tried to grant some reprieve. On this score, we did see President Ali recently recommitting to work towards improving the lot of all workers during his term. From what we have seen from the President thus far, we believe, that he will fulfill his commitment and workers and their families will be able to enjoy a more comfortable and contented life.
