THE executive and members of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE) congratulate the Minister of Labour, Dr N.K. Gopaul and members of the Tripartite Committee under the Ministry of Labour for the eventual implementation of the much anticipated attempt to humanise the poorly paid

workers in Guyana, who contribute to the huge profits of the business sector.
NAACIE recognises the present cordial atmosphere which, in many instances, could be in the interest of labour starting from President Donald Ramotar to Labour Minister, Dr Gopaul and an apparent collaboration of the two major Trade Union bodies – the GTUC and FITUG, along with representatives of CAGI.
The union, while applauding this move is also calling on the workers who are to benefit from increased wages and the 40-hour work week to ensure that their commitment to their employers and their dependants is energised, in the interest of improved production and productivity.
We can surely do better if we work smarter and receive the required training to become better service providers.
The concerns of NAACIE are on the following:-
1. Why did the Chamber or businessmen await the minister’s announcement to realise the effect of the economic impact on business as a whole, when workers were at last to be treated as free human beings? These same industries had opportunities to pay workers better but they did not oblige.
2. How many of those businesses took the ILO Convention signed by the nation into consideration?
3. How many of these private sector organisations encouraged the unionisation of labourers to bargain collectively as encouraged by the constitution?
4. How many will see benefits for themselves and workers if this regulation is honoured?
5. Which of these private businesses can boast of proper benefits, insurance, pensions, for those labourers that caused their enrichment?
6. Why after a long period of notice of the Tripartite Committee’s intention did the private sector employers refrain from consultation? Could it be because they expected the same poor payment and conditions of work to continue?
This unfavourable condition has been brought to an eventual end in a time of relatively positive industrial relations climate, a moderate growth in the national economy and reported profits made by many private sector employers.