LABOUR Minister Manzoor Nadir is calling on trade union leaders to step away from “politicking”, urging them to expend those same efforts to legitimately bolster the welfare of their members.

“Today, as a result of sustained increases in wages and salaries and benefits coupled with the enabling financial environment created, workers are in possession of much more disposable income utilised for family development and the free acquisition of assets”- Nadir

At a press conference yesterday at Freedom House, he said: “This action [politicking] is clearly to facilitate political allegiances and to foster related agendas for political gratification as demonstrated in their public

utterances, which are replete with vilification of developmental projects, projects designed to further enhance the lives of workers and their families.
“If these union leaders were to embrace the ongoing, unprecedented development and expend the same effort to legitimately bolster the welfare of their members, rather than remain the conduit to entrench the positions of their political associates, workers’ development will be further enhanced.”

MISUSE OF PORTFOLIO
Minister Nadir noted the ruling party’s disappointment in the move by trade union leaders in continuing to “push a different agenda from what they should be” doing.
Nadir said: “Those involved capitalise on their positions and misuse their portfolios under the pretext of providing representation to the industrious workers.
“The (PPP) party believes that they deliberately inculcate a sense[of] unawareness regarding the country’s rapid and unremitting development which has resulted in tremendous benefits to the working class.
“…In recognising the contributions of all workers towards nation- building, the PPP urges those union leaders who thrive on politicking to become cognizant of the country’s transformation and modernization, thereby enhancing their capacity to be informed and not to peddle misinformation.
“The party would also like to remind those union leaders, who seemingly prosper on misleading, that such attempts are counterproductive to trade unionism and the welfare of workers and urges the ceasing of unabated politicization of issues by some union leaders.”
He also made it clear that the ruling party is fully supportive of trade unionism in Guyana in the form it was intended to function.
Nadir said: “The party wishes to reiterate that it remains supportive of trade unionism in its purest and traditional form and which would commit to what was intended and the addressing of grievances through legitimate means.
“The PPP without any ambiguity would like to note that since its establishment 63 years ago, it has and continues to dedicate every day to improving the lives and working conditions for workers.
“Even before the party was officially established, its Founder, Dr. Jagan, was relentless in his struggles to advance the lives of the working class.

TOKENISM
“The tokenism of posturing a year in recognition of workers by the main Opposition, demonstrates their scant regard for workers and their contributions to the development of this country. This is clearly not surprising and to dilute the industriousness of workers can only be seen as an insult to their efforts.”

SUPPORT FOR TRADE UNIONS
According to him, “every day is Workers Day,” and the PPP is not unmindful of how the bases for agitation by the trade union movement in Guyana have tremendously dissipated since the party was elected to form the government in 1992.
“This is by no means a coincidence but a testimony to the party’s commitment to improve the lives of workers and Guyanese at large. This commitment is rooted in the party’s foundation since its establishment by its founder, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan,” he said.
Nadir also pointed out that Dr. Jagan’s unwavering dedication to champion the cause of the working class has precipitated the current and unprecedented improvement in working conditions and living standards being experienced.
“Incarceration and harassment did not deter his indefatigable spirit in endeavouring in these selfless acts for the betterment of all. These endeavours which have characterised Dr. Jagan remain the identifying trait of the PPP,” Nadir stressed.

TRADE UNION RECOGNITION ACT
He made it clear too that the Trade Union Recognition Act, which the PPP has championed and which allows workers to choose their union as against one being forced upon them, remains the beacon of democratic principles indicative of the party’s struggles for freedom of choice.
Among other aspects, the Act abolished the need for agency fees, which were imposed on workers by some unions.
Nadir called the practice of “automatic deductions” of monies from workers’ salaries to bolster unions’ financial coffers, “blatantly undemocratic,” since it denied the workers any semblance of choice for a representative body.
Minister Nadir said: “During the party’s 28 years as the Opposition and just over two decades in government, it has always been relentless in pursuing a brighter future for all Guyanese and the creation of a democratic society.
“It is[in] this context that the party remains proud of the country’s achievements since it came into office following the return to democracy in 1992. These profound accomplishments through developments in all strata of society have directly redounded to positively impact the lives of the people of this nation and by extension, reduced the need for activism by trade unions.
“Today, as a result of sustained increases in wages and salaries and benefits coupled with the enabling financial environment created, workers are in possession of much more disposable income utilised for family development and the free acquisition of assets.”
He also underscored the successes made on behalf of the working class since 1992: the housing boom, massive infrastructure works; the vast increases in accessibility and provision of potable water, health care and social services; and the decentralization of education, among other advances.
Nadir said: “This is further indicative of the party’s dedication to ensure that workers and their families derive the benefits of the country’s development and transformation.
“The investments to rejuvenate the ailing bauxite industry in Linden and other areas and to make it the success it currently is, is again another demonstration of the party’s unyielding commitment to save and create jobs and to improve working conditions.
“These scenarios are symptomatic of not only the prosperity resulting from sustained economic growth through prudent management, but elevation of living standards of Guyanese and working conditions of the country’s workers.”
The minister commended the working class for tireless efforts in creating the current progressive environment that permeates the country and which has led to the noticeable decline in agitation by trade unions.

(By Vanessa Narine)