Workers’ rights more safeguarded now than ever before
– but under threat  by an opposition that showed its anti-working class colours recently
AS we observe International Labour Day 2012, today,  the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has saluted the working class of Guyana, noting that the rights of workers are more safeguarded now than ever before, but warned  that those gains are  under threat  by a political opposition that showed its anti-working class colours recently. The PPP, in a Labour Day message, said workers contributions must be recognised on this day as it is their efforts that have helped us to avoid the worst of the economic and financial crises that have gripped many workers in many parts of the world.
The PPP alluded to the fact that it has tirelessly worked to improve the conditions of the working class of this country.  “Our party led the fight for Universal Adult Suffrage close to 60 years ago and made May Day a national holiday since 1958,” the party recalled.
Another significant measure was the removal of the “means test” in 1993, which previously deprived our senior citizens of a pension, it said.
This was a demand of the trades union movement some four decades before it became a reality.
The PPP noted that, this year, pensions were increased by over 20%.  “The rights of workers are more safeguarded now  than they have ever been in any period of our history through legislation piloted by the PPP/C government,” the party boasted.
These include “the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Holiday with Pay Act, the Prevention of Discrimination Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Law” among others.
According to the PPP, the workers’ dream of owning their own homes is now a reality through the many innovative interventions by government.
The working class and their families were also supported by this year’s national budget, the PPP said. Resources towards subsidising the consumers of electricity and water; continued expansion and improvement of health care and education services countrywide; providing working class families with laptops and IT skills training; greater assistance to the vulnerable and an increase in the income tax threshold by 25% from last year, which will result in workers taking home more money to their families.
The PPP/C however, recognises that the work to improve the lives of the working class is far from over.  “That is why the government has been working tirelessly to consolidate and expand our gains,” it said, adding that investments that create jobs and improve the productive capacity of the country have always been encouraged.
Unfortunately, the PPP said  those gains are being threatened by an opposition that showed their anti-working class colours recently.  “The cutting of government’s 2012 budget is a demonstration of this,” the PPP declared.
It is widely acknowledged that in times of recession and financial difficulties, workers face the daunting prospect of being laid off. However, the PPP said the decision by the opposition to close entities and put workers on the breadline or slash support for agencies and programmes which will have a direct impact on workers and their families is taking place at a time when Guyana’s economy is the healthiest it has ever been.
“To add insult to injury, the opposition has callously described it as collateral damage. Now under pressure they are saying that they can look at a Supplementary budget,” the PPP posited.
The ruling party said it has always maintained that its decades old struggles have always been in the interests of the working class of this country and in solidarity with workers the world over.
“On this day we reiterate our sentiments to the working people of Guyana and the world. Long Live May Day! Long Live the Working Class!”