GLU General Secretary defends New GPC against critics
GENERAL Secretary of Guyana Labour Union (GLU), which represents the workers of New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, Mr. Carvil Duncan, has said he feels obligated to comment on issues which have surfaced recently, in the media, on the company’s contract with government for the supply of drugs to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He said, due to the decent industrial relations climate, the union has experienced with the company for a number of years, GLU recognises that the New GPC relates to the causes of its workers and pays keen attention to their needs.
Duncan disclosed that there were occasions when management, without the intervention of the union for negotiations, used its initiative and offered increased benefits to its employees in the form of monthly food hampers, consisting of basic domestic necessities.
He stated that the company is one which has made an unbelievable turnaround, from a deficit which was inherited during its privatisation to a position of profitability, from which its workers and a wider cross-section of the nation are, today, benefitting.
Duncan said the company continues to contribute both directly and indirectly to the economic status of the nation.
Unsuccessful
He said with the rise in number of HIV/AIDS infected persons, the pharmaceutical company has been producing the required ARVs and had even taken up the mantle of supplying them when another local supplier was unsuccessful in satisfying the needs.
Coupled with that, New GPC has been involved in supplying the micronutrient supplement (sprinkles) which is distributed countrywide to pregnant mothers and their babies.
“This vibrant, growing entity, led by personnel with the interests of the company at heart, has, over the years as a private company, been aggressively pursuing increase in its production capacity to penetrate not only Guyana, but a wider international market. As a result of its high standards, it went a cut above other local pharmaceutical suppliers, developed itself and qualified, in 2010, for the award of a contract for the supply of pharmaceuticals to the GPHC, based on the requirements of the Ministry of Health.
“As a nation, we should concentrate on offering support to this company for the direct and indirect input it continues to make for our economy. I condemn the comments made by those who are anti-progress and lack the knowledge of the reality of the contributions made to our economy by a Guyanese company, new GPC.
“The union calls on them to end their campaign and support the private sector in their thrust to transform the economy of this country and improve the economic life of the workers,” Duncan said.