A BIPARTITE conference was recently held in Georgetown and it drew participation from the trade union and employer communities. It had the prime objective of addressing the challenges to CARIFORUM, labour,the private sector and employers with regard to fulfilling their obligations under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).The conference was organised by the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) and the Caribbean Employers Confederation (CEC), with support from CARIFORUM and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This conference had its genesis in the recognition by the two social partners (CLC and CEC) that they have a responsibility — separately and collectively, nationally and regionally — to make a significant contribution towards the full realisation of the EPA existing between the European Union (EU) and CARIFORUM. Ensconced in this agreement is a chapter that deals with a conscious shift from the way things have been done in the past, to that of using internationally acceptable tools that deal with respect for rights as a major pillar in human development.
The agreement further commits stakeholders to ensure that delivery of goods and services conform to specific internationally acceptable guidelines. For instance, if sandals are being produced, the guidelines are not only on the quality, but the conditions under which they are made; which include shunning forced labour, child labour, poor occupational health and safety practices, and exploitative wages.
Guyana should have no difficulty in working towards addressing and overcoming challenges which pose a threat to the development that CARIFORUM is committed to achieving. As a country, there exist constitutional structures, the most important of which is the mandate of inclusionary democracy; and should these be applied, they can make the goal attainable. The conventions and charters to which both the EU and CARIFORUM countries — inclusive of Guyana – subscribed, also serve as a guide in helping us to achieve compliance.
Guyana should, however, be mindful that these ambitions are not without their concomitant timeframes, which the country must be mindful of in order to ensure positive international standing. If Guyana defaults on expectations in this regard on any specific item — for instance, in the production of rice — the entire exportation of this product to Europe can come to a standstill. As such, it is required that every production and service agency be conscious and conscientious of their roles, inter-relationships, and what are expected of the country.
Further, in that the CARIFORUM Agreement encompasses elements that factor in the Green Economy to which Guyana has turned attention — which sets out to bring about sustainable development, a better environment, address poverty and be mindful that activities are conducted within the sphere of respect for citizens’ and participants’ rights — this society can be on the cusp of setting another milestone.
Guyana, as a member of CARIFORUM and other regional and international bodies, whose management is guided by laws, conventions and charters considered foundational for working together in ensuring the development of all humankind, shoulders responsibility which requires compliance with these statutes by which all member states are bound.
As the administration focuses on strengthening the education system, education and training can become potent tools in forging togetherness and compliance with external relations and the rights, roles and responsibilities of respective stakeholders and their importance to human development.
Guyana, which has, from 1905, blazed the trail in agitating for fundamental rights and freedoms — such as the right to self-determination, joining a trade union of choice, and collective bargaining — has more than sufficient experience to be a model country. In working together, it has to be factored in for consideration and respect that ours is a diverse society. For diversity is no hindrance to human development, given universal conventions, charters and agreements; and constitutions have laid the guidelines for using the uniqueness among us as strengths to also further achievement of goals. At the end of the day, we are Guyanese. And though coming from different historical experiences, we have demonstrated the capacity and capability to live and work together for our development in relative harmony.
