THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday held their 5th Delegates Conference, 2nd triennial Conference, at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, to develop policies that protect the rights of workers and highlight errors to be corrected.The conference which was held under the theme, “Uphold Democracy and Struggle for Social Transformation,” was deemed an important event for unions that represent workers across Guyana. It also gave the various trade unions an opportunity to recap and add to what they believe is beneficial for the workers.

Present at the opening ceremony yesterday were Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds and Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, along with other trade union heads and distinguished persons.
According to Minister Gopaul, since the establishment of FITUG in 1988, there has been an enhancement in the protection of the rights of workers because the trade unions are able to unite and work together in order to ensure that every area is covered.
FITUG AGAINST TUC
He disclosed that over the years FITUG fought against the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), because there were struggles which were highlighted, that the TUC was not attending to.
The fight against the TUC came when they refused to unite with FITUG to attend to these issues which were affecting the workers across Guyana.
After winning the long fought battle, FITUG began their move towards championing the rights of workers; and after winning they restored collective bargaining among workers and employees so as to reduce the number of recorded strike actions at that time.
That according to Dr. Gopaul was just the beginning of what FITUG had in mind for the workers of Guyana.
“FITUG, since its establishment firmly, has since sought trade union unity while working with the hope that workers unity will soon be achieved… they continue to play a pivotal role in articulating and in championing the cause of the workers,” said the Labour Minister.
The recent acts of the Ministry of Labour must stand out because the workers of Guyana have been the beneficiaries.
Over the last three years as a result of discussions, the Government has been able to endorse the ILO country work programme, which promotes decent work places, green jobs and occupational health and safety.
The Labour Minister also highlighted that within the last 18 months they have established a national minimum wage and national working hours of a five-day work week.
LEADING IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
“When taken into account and put together this country is seen as the leading country in the Caribbean in terms of industrial relations and what has happened to workers…every single worker in Guyana is protected under the law, no matter where you are working,” he said.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
Apart from all the good things, workers still seem not to be concerned with being involved in trade unionism, and they seem not to understand the benefits of being a part of a trade union.
Minister Gopaul disclosed that “The Conference will allow us to go back to the drawing board and ensure that we organise workers especially in areas where workers are vulnerable.”
Meanwhile also speaking at the event yesterday, President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan disclosed that there are some employers still around who are ill-treating workers, and also the tax system needs to be reviewed in the interest of the workers.
Therefore, Duncan underscored that these issues could be resolved if the two unions (FITUG and TUC) work together in the interest of the working class.

(By Navendra Seoraj)