– a move in the right direction
THE FEDERATION of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in a statement Friday gave its blessing to this year’s budgetary allocations, saying among other things that it was a step in the right direction. The following is the statement in its entirety: “The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) wishes to express its satisfaction with the announcements made by the Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance, in his budget presentation on Monday, January 17, 2011, in the National Assembly.

“FITUG sees this budget as one that is concentrated in the right direction having made provisions for both employers and employees in the process of economic development.
“The increase of the income tax threshold from $35,000 to $40,000 is greatly appreciated and timely, since it will alleviate some of the hardships that the workers are now confronted with, coupled with the reduction in the Corporation Tax, which will not only create job opportunities and greater benefits to the worker, but would contribute towards the stimulation of growth in the Private Sector.
“Mr. Carvil Duncan, President of FITUG, stated that he was pleased that for a long time Wages and Salaries increases for some workers were above inflation, but for 2010, where the average increases  in Wages and Salaries across the Public and Private sectors have been above the rate of inflation, 2011 seems to appear as a continuation of this policy.
“FITUG, as the representative of workers in most of the strategic sectors in both the State and Private Sectors in Guyana, sees the opportunity in this Budget for workers to have disposable income, so that their aspirations and desire to achieve much social development for themselves could be materialised.
“FITUG looks forward to a healthy and constructive debate in the National Assembly, lacking the benefit of partisan politics, in the interest of all Guyanese and the workers in particular.
“FITUG assures all that it remains committed to the struggle of the workers and the working class in Guyana and it will continue to work with all stakeholders for the continuous growth and development of Guyana.”