Labour, trade union movements on the move
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott

— Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott

COMRADES, irrespective of the name or label which you choose to attach to this day, the first day of May, 2016 is a Labour Day with a difference. I am inclined to use the term “Labour Day” for no other reason than the fact that that is the term used in our legislation.

Labour Day 2016 is as different as it is unique, in that its observance is being revered at an all-important juncture in the history and evolution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Our nation has observed Labour Day for the past two decades and beyond, under a variety of circumstances which have undeniably left some acrimonious impressions on the landscape of labour-management relations or industrial relations in this country. Consequently, workers who are the real creators of wealth, and who make the real contributions to nation building, feel that they have been cheated, robbed, and emasculated by vicious polices deliberately crafted for their brutal enslavement.

However, I wish to submit that Labour Day 2016 is likened unto none before, in that it represents the essence of change. I sense that a new course will be chartered to change our history for some time to come.

Indeed, Labour Day 2016 is being observed under the theme “Labour on the Move in Solidarity and Unity” at a time when our Republic, whose motto is “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, is celebrating its Golden Jubilee.
It is significant that there is much congruence between our National Motto and the theme for Labour Day this year. It would seem to me that the very essence of this year’s observances is, among other things, a unification of the trade union movement, which has been fractured and which remained fractured for much too long.

I am aware that the trade union movement has initiated, organised, and intends to execute what they have termed a ‘Unity Rally’. It is my understanding that that rally signals the commencement of the unification process, and I believe our nation welcomes such an initiative. As a matter of fact, some sections of our society have bemoaned the fact the trade union movement remained disjointed for many past years.

A short while ago, I have had cause to mention that the euphoria which has inhabited the minds of all reasonable-thinking Guyanese following the ascension to office of the APNU+AFC Government has resulted in a plethora of events being branded ‘unity’ events. For example, we have had unity parties, and unity sports events like cricket matches and so on. I would want to advocate and support many more similar events.

Therefore, a Unity Rally by the trade union movement at this time is welcome, and should be widely embraced.

The theme for Labour Day speaks also of Labour being on the move, but I wish to declare with much confidence, which is empirically grounded, that not only ‘Labour’, but the entire nation itself is on the move. Throughout our history, the Labour Movement, and subsequently the Trade Union Movement, was subjected to the wrath of the ruling administration; but I want to assert with much confidence that the future of Labour and the Trade Union Movement in this country has taken a turn for the better. We have decided that Labour must be accorded the respect and prominence it once enjoyed during the era of the indomitable Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. One would have expected that the achievements of Mr Critchlow, whom we ought to regard as the ‘founding father’ of politics and ‘social revolution’ in Guyana and the Caribbean, would by now have been cemented and even expanded. But as the events have turned, Labour continued to find itself in adversarial positions.

Fortunately, it is evident that in one short year, in a new dispensation, that situation has changed. A vexed and depressed labour force of the past is gradually being transformed into an energized and reinvigorated productive force.

Indeed, no one should gainsay that during the past two decades several pieces of legislation, designed theoretically to promote the interests of Labour, have been enacted, but in actual fact, the plight of workers had worsened tremendously.

As a matter of evidence, workers’ rights were so disregarded and trampled upon that they appeared to have become extinct.
It is not possible at this stage to comprehensively highlight the plight of workers from which they have been recently rescued, but if nothing else is mentioned, the erosion of the collective bargaining process and the imposition of unreasonable wages and salaries’ increases on public servants stand out as a beacon of disgrace and must be highlighted.

Fortunately at this time, all of the negative factors and influences have already begun to disappear. Thus the collective bargaining process, which is a main pillar of decent industrial relations practice, has been re-activated in the public sector.
Further, workers have been awarded increases along with a tax-free bonus, which was hitherto unheard of in the public sector.
Yes, comrades! Labour is on the move, because our Republic is on the move!

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