THE President’s intervention in the Barama case of laid-off workers, speaks clearly of the executive’s awareness and sensitivity to the concerns of the working class of this nation. Not even in the world’s greatest economy is there a situation where the President would, on behalf of the federal government, offer laid-off workers, particularly, a stipend, and direct assistance towards future job placement.

Of course, that country has a welfare system that is underpinned by a powerful economy, despite the current challenges that presently, prevail.

For the CARICOM member states, this has to be a first, and it points to a well managed fiscal system locally that can allow such an intervention.

The centre piece of this arrangement, and very visionary, is the stipulation that the affected workers must attend a day’s computer classes, every week for the three months duration of the stipend.

This exercise will equip all those who answer this call, and I hope that they ALL do, with critical ICT skills, the necessity of which President Jagdeo has emphasised, and a fact which I am certain these workers will appreciate.

And President Jagdeo, always one to safeguard the rights of the Guyanese workers, has given an ultimatum to the Barama company as to the resumption of their operations.

I hope that the critics are paying attention to all that have been occurring since the announced closure of this company’s operations. For there has always  been the perception that  the PPP/C administration  have been lenient with this wood exporter in deference to alleged concerns raised from time to time, by its workers.

Well, the President has answered them all, unequivocally showing that he is a nationalist, whose country and people are paramount in all considerations.              

President Jagdeo and government must be commended for this humane measure, and I hope that the critics will do likewise, since this is a measure that will bring some relief to these people and their families, as well as availing new possibilities for their future well being.