Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service

STAKEHOLDERS have welcomed the submission of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service. The act of appointing a commission is a recognition that, over the years, the ongoing conflicts on various issues, such as wages/salaries and working conditions, cannot be allowed to fester as the nation seeks to bring about good governance.While there is an acceptance that conflicts are inherent in every relationship, to do nothing to address and solve same is not an option.

In that this report evidently sought, through its findings, analyses and recommendations, to address and solve conflicts and eliminate bugbears in the system, it should not be allowed to be shelved, but be discussed among the stakeholders, and systems should be put in place for its implementation. The nation has been exposed to constant conflicts among trade unions; the employer, which in this case is the Government; workers and citizens in regard to the reluctance of the employer to uphold the sacred tenets of collective bargaining.

Collective bargaining, by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, is deemed a right once there exists a recognised trade union, and the employer is obligated to treat with that union in good faith. For more than a decade, this was observed in the breach in the public sector. The public sector is the single largest employer in the country, and given universal practices, the way Government treats with public sector workers sets the tone and standard for how the non-government sectors will treat with their workers.

The nation is reminded that one of the first acts in independent Guyana was the ratification of the International Labour Organization Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 by the Government. Convention # 87 deals with freedom of association and the right to join a trade union of choice, and Convention 98 deals with the right to collective bargaining. These conventions were ratified by the Government of Guyana exactly 50 years ago, i.e. in 1966. As more understanding of our history is known, and based on the recount of the Labour Movement of this history and their role in the process, these conventions are not only seen as embracement of the Workers’ Agenda in the political platform, but the honouring of commitments given to the workers and citizens when the struggle for independence was achieved.

The commission’s report has touched on important issues, such as putting in place a mechanism to bring about a resolution on wages and salaries’ negotiations whenever there is an impasse between the trade union and the Government. What this recommendation does is to give an opportunity to the National Assembly, which is the nation’s highest decision-making forum, to arrive at consensus on the determination of wages and salaries based on the performance of the economy and the ability to pay. This approach also encourages the deepening of inclusivity in decision-making in the political system, with the involvement of the parties that are elected to the National Assembly.

The other issue of salaries and conditions for the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Regional Chairmen, where it is recommended that a mechanism be found to address increases for these categories of public workers, is worthy of consideration. Applying this approach removes existing doubts and suspicions in the society that politicians care only about themselves, not the economy and other workers in the public sector.

Then there is the recommendation that calls for the establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. This tribunal is a constitutional body established by law in 1984. One of the benefits of this tribunal is that it gives an aggrieved public servant the opportunity to have his/her grievance heard before a panel outside of the court. This tribunal gives the worker who does not have the financial wherewithal to pursue justice through the court an opportunity to pursue same nonetheless. In that this tribunal has not been functioning since in the mid-1990s is not only a violation of the law, but also a denial of the pursuit of justice for those who seek it.

Restoring a professional public service is important for good governance and the improved delivery of services, to which the society is entitled. To the extent that the Government enlisted a commission on its commitment to restore professionalism to the public sector, and the report sought to do so within the mandate it was given, is an achievement for the society; but the society must not stop there.

The establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal and restoration of Collective Bargaining are two elements the trade unions have, over the years, been consistently calling for. Now that the commission has recommended that these two elements be respected, the ball to honour same is in the Government’s court, and, understandably, the trade unions will agitate for same.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.