THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday cautioned the APNU+AFC administration to employ a “prudent approach” in handling the public outcry over salary increases for Cabinet ministers. The GTUC has also written the government calling for the reinstatement of collective bargaining in the Public Sector.
In a statement to the media, the Union said a letter requesting a meeting between the government and the trade union community has been sent to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, who has responsibility for Labour.
Meanwhile, the GTUC warns the administration of complacency, noting that “On 11th May the citizens fired the PPP/C for their arrogance, abuse of State resources and laws, and contempt for the masses.” The Union said too that by voting out the PPP/C from office on May 11 and electing the APNU+AFC, government needs to be conscious of the power citizens hold.
“By this single most important act the citizens sent a message that PPP’s hubris and violations will not be tolerated from the APNU+AFC. We are witnessing this today in the reaction to the salary issue.”
NOT “RASH OR HASTY” DECISION
On Saturday, President David Granger justified why his government moved to increase salaries for ministers of government and the opposition. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the move by Cabinet to increase the salaries of ministers was not a “rash or hasty” decision. He refuted claims that his administration was being “selfish or greedy.”
“We took time to consider all aspects of this problem and in the final analysis we felt it was the correct thing to do to ensure a quality of governance from our Cabinet,” he said.
Granger said many of the government ministers are not “in their early careers”.
“They have established themselves in various professions and in public life, and it would have been unreasonable to demand they have a sudden or massive drop in income.”

REMINDER
But the GTUC sought to remind the administration that “The last time this nation saw such outcries against government’s action was November 2014 when then President Ramotar abused his authority in the misapplication of Article 70 in the Guyana Constitution by proroguing Parliament, in order to silence the voice of the majority, through their elected representatives, to debate and cast a vote of confidence on the government’s stewardship consistent with Article 106 (7).”
The conduct of former President Ramotar and his party representatives, the Union added, “Resulted in its (PPP) downfall on the 11th May, 2015.
“2015 has seen growth in our politics and citizens’ activism. GTUC reminds the politicians the power and authority they use are vested in them by the citizens. Ultimately politicians are accountable to the citizens and must never lose sight of this principle. As this salary outcry is increasing and being sustained beyond the proverbial ‘nine days’ it requires good sense prevailing on the part of the government,” the GTUC said.

PROCESS
The Union maintains that its issue with the salary increase is one of process. “It is our belief that if you start wrong, you will end wrong. The product from the application of a wrong process will be questionable and this in part is driving the outcries today.”
The GTUC in its call said the reinstatement of collective bargaining and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms must be seen as a matter of priority countrywide.
“Collective bargaining must commence in the Public Sector, which will ensure the resetting of relativity in the Wage and Salary Structure, from which ministers, parliamentarians and other public servants will earn wages/salary and conditions of employment as a result of the process.”
The Union believes that “Comprehensive collective bargaining will impact on income in all sectors (public, private and cooperatives) of the economy, address pensions and other remunerations, since it will be done within the developmental policies of the nation. The Public Sector sets the tone for what happens in the other sectors.”
“GTUC believes in a wage-led economy, which is grounded in the principle that a nation’s human resources must be at the centre of development and guides our call for workers to be paid a Living Wage.”
The release said the response by citizens to the increase in salaries for ministers and parliamentarians “calls for commitment from the government that would result in a decision that society can accept and respect.”
Though there is an absence of “scientific polling to gauge overall opinion” on varying issues, “the continuous, sustained and heightened voices, inclusive of that from varied and unexpected sources, are enough to warrant the government’s judicious attention,” the Union added.