Minister Scott apologises for ‘Freudian Slip’
Minister Keith Scott with employees of Social Protection and representatives of FITUG and GTUC at Thursday’s press briefing (Photo by Adrian Narine)
Minister Keith Scott with employees of Social Protection and representatives of FITUG and GTUC at Thursday’s press briefing (Photo by Adrian Narine)

MINISTER within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr Keith Scott on Thursday apologised for his “Freudian Slip” during Tuesday’s budget debate in the National Assembly.He did so at a press briefing called specifically to address the matter, where he said that having given careful thought to what he said, to the effect that the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) were impotent, he felt that an apology was in order.

“It takes nothing from me to say I am sorry,” Scott said, adding:
“Who among us has never been liable for a Freudian Slip? Who among us is not infallible? And who among us can claim to be flawless?”

The apology was duly accepted by representatives of said trade unions present at the briefing, among them Messrs Lincoln Lewis and Kenneth Joseph, and Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle.

It was preceded by a letter sent the ministry, titled “Calling workers’ organisations impotent”, in which both FITUG and GTUC said they view the remark as being very distasteful and disturbing.

The unions said, inter alia, “This most incredulous labelling by you of our organisations as `impotent’ begs the question whether this is the level of regard that the government has for the labour movement and by extension the workers of Guyana.

“As Minister, it is hoped it has not escaped your attention that workers represent a most decisive force in our country. We wonder whether your remark, as a representative of the Government, inadvertently conveys a clandestinely held view of the Administration with respect to the trade union movement.
“The distasteful comment further opens speculation as to whether your utterance, which is clearly contemptuous of a major stakeholder in this society with a constitutional right to exist, has informed your Administration’s decision to dismantle the Ministry of Labour, which is relegated to a department headed by you.”

In his defence, however, Minister Scott said Thursday that while the situation is unfortunate, he has always been committed, and will continue to be dedicated towards trade unions and the principles of trade unionism and brotherhood.

He said that since assuming office, he has been pursuing the goals of trade union unity, even among unrecognised unions.

“Some unions had issues with the people they represented and employers. Whenever we have been invited to participate, though we tried to avoid interfering, even though we have the power to interfere in any dispute with or without invitation, I have played my part. Under my watch, we always tried to wait until we are invited by parties, employers or employees, and I have always tried to show a balance,” Minister Scott said.

He said, too, that he has always made full representation for workers, and fought tirelessly to provide a balance between employees and their employers.

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