Chronicle, NCN have the widest and most distributive scope

THIS year’s budget (presented yesterday) stands out as one pregnant with expectations on many fronts:- One, it is the first budget under the presidency of Donald Ramotar and will offer an insight into the direction he wants to take the country and the financial resources he is prepared to commit to this end. Two, the government side of the House has always held sway and ignored the Opposition’s input, however valuable and well meaning.
Three, it is the first time in our post independence history the Opposition side of the House has the majority. And four, the uniqueness of the parliamentary composition, and political dispensation which offer possibility for the national good, reducing the apathy for our politics, and bringing an end to a zero-sum political culture.

Given that the parliament is the supreme democratic power of the State and the executive does not hold the majority, there is hope for new beginnings, meaningful inclusions and checks and balances.

Since the budget is the instrument that usually signals the nation’s economic direction, inclusive of the programmes and the sums of monies that will be assigned to each project, it is important that the workers/citizens be apprised of these programmes and monetary allocation since they are the ones funding them.
And while it has been customary for regions, towns and neighbourhood democratic councils that did not vote for the administration to be sidelined, this year’s budget offers the opportunity to ensure all are included.

Though the Constitution gives responsibility to the executive for preparing the budget, it equally gives responsibility to stakeholders to be involved in economic development which the government continues to ignore.

Successive PPP government has excluded Labour in such engagements, which is contrary to Articles 38 and 149C of the Constitution which expressly mandate the trade unions involvement in “National cooperation for development of [the] economy” and the “Right to participate in decision-making of the State,” respectively.

GTUC hopes this is the last year our Constitution will be treated with such contempt by those who have taken the oath to uphold it. Notwithstanding this, the GTUC sees the configuration of the National Assembly presenting the opportunity for leadership to be given to an inclusionary approach to management and decision-making, consistent with the Political Objective of the State as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution.
This 10th Parliament presents the opportunity to ensure economic development is even-handed; resources accordingly allocated and duly accounted for.

As such, the citizens desire to hear the contributions of their elected representatives as we strive to move this country forward in an atmosphere where our politics will be issue-driven and considerate of the well being of all. And in this process, the GTUC expects spirited debates and its attendant disagreements, since such is the nature of social relations when there are diverse and competing interests.
Unfortunately, in our political culture some have substituted substance for verbal assaults and character assassination, exposing the worst in man, that have resulted in the desecration of our leading and hallowed branch of government and the alienation of a battle worn public.
The public has had enough of this infantile behaviour and desire a responsible and serious approach in handling their business. Equally they desire to know how the budget will impact their lives through reasoned and honest debates/discussions.

This Budget reading and debating will be interesting. Labour looks forward to the participation of some notables both in the opposition and government benches. Carl Greenidge, former Minister of Finance has not been in parliament for almost 20 years. His return after a stint as a regional and international civil servant will bring to bear a body of knowledge and experience on both finance and social issues.
In Greenidge’s role as shadow Minister of Finance, his ability to go toe to toe with Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh on the stewardship and direction of this economy is much awaited.
Moses Nagamoottoo, in the opposition after being on the PPP’s side all his parliamentary life, creates interest. He is a strong debater and has impressed upon the society that he is an advocate for Labour and the working class, and having parted with the PPP on their stewardship of this economy, he is expected to bring heft to the AFC. He has alongside him Khemraj Ramjattan who also left the PPP having had the same grievances.

Winston Felix is the first former Commissioner of Police, in parliament and as shadow Minister of Home Affairs, is expected to bring a new vision to the political discourse on the workings and direction the country needs to go with regards to internal security. Having come from the frontline with an understanding of what the Force needs to make the police effective and efficient crime fighters, he is expected to articulate a position befitting a cop. It will be him versus Minster of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and given this minister’s behaviour and what is happening to the Service one expects passion being brought to bear in the debates.
Basil Williams, shadow Minster of Labour is expected to continue his vigorous representation for workers and hold the government accountable for the transgressing of Labour’s rights and laws. He comes up against the new Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who, having come from the bowels of the Labour Movement is expected to partner with him in embracing principles, laws and policies that will enhance the wellbeing of the workers and provide the requisite relief the workers are looking for.

To the new comers, it presents first hand exposure and they are urged even as they listen and learn to carve out a niche for themselves.

David Granger, while new to parliament, is Leader of the Opposition, and is expected to take up the mantle and deliver on the wishes of the people, for expectations are high.

After the reading of this budget, President Donald Ramotar, who emerged from the Guyana Agriculture & General Workers Union (GAWU), is expected to provide leadership to the Minister of Finance on the various opinions expressed to ensure that at the passing of the budget the thinking and desires of the society are reflected.

To do this, it will require him breaking from the demonic shackles of the Jagdeo era of rampant corruption and abuses. For it is time he listens to the people which is consistent with the mandate given to him and the people will be watching his action. As President, while elected on a party ticket, he has responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of all is ensured, because he is being paid by all.

This budget will require compromises by all involved. But at the end of the day it is expected to reflect a working class agenda where systems will be put in place to protect the vulnerable, guarantee employment, pay decent wages/salaries, ensure workplace health and safety, employers respecting the laws, protection of the environment, prudent management and accountability of our resources, retooling and educating the workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy, and ensuring the retired are treated with dignity and respect.

The GTUC is therefore calling on the State media (NCN and Chronicle) to ensure in their coverage of the budget and matters flowing thereof, all sides are heard. While the independent private media continue to play an appreciative and pivotal role as the nation’s watchdog, this role is constrained in so far as their economic, distributive and band width power allow them.
The state media as the medium with access to the people’s tax dollars, having the widest and most distributive scope (radio, television, newspaper) and presence in all Ten Administrative Regions, should meet the service of its financiers (the taxpayers) by keeping them informed of their elected representatives’ views.

As such, GTUC proposes access for the parliamentary opposition which would include: a) equal access to prime time coverage of opposition’s views and equal news coverage by state reporters; b) fair and balanced reporting of opposition position/opinion and not skewing of events and reports to serve the incumbent’s political purpose; c) the right to respond guarantee in the instance where a party – opposition or governing – makes an allegation or wrongful accusation of the other, and the party making such claim called upon to provide credible sourcing/evidence; d)  equal, up-to-the-minute news coverage, same as the incumbent for timely news; and e) where there obtain programmes on the budget the opposition be included or given similar time slot to air their views.

The GTUC also calls on the opposition to join us in this call to ensure their members and supporters hear from them through the state media. For together we can work for a better Guyana.

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