– is there more to come in 2016?

By Sase Singh
THE headline screamed: “Ministry recovered G$59 million in wages for workers since May 2015 – Broomes”. Upon digging some more, it was discovered that, in 2015, some G$80 million were recovered from employers for the workers, compared to G$31 million in 2014.

This is a clear indication that one human being can make a material difference, and Minister Simona Broomes has been the hero in the APNU+AFC Cabinet for 2015.

As more details emerge on the performance of individuals within the executive government, one can quickly see those who are delivering for the working class, and those who are delivering for themselves and family. Beware, there are pockets of Jagdeoism alive and well in the Granger/Nagamootoo cabinet!

Much kudos have to be given to Minister Broomes for ensuring the shop-front sales associates, who have been abused for decades, can finally call someone their friend and advocate (Minister Broomes). I want to caution her, since she will face a tremendous headwind from the petit bourgeoisie in the Cabinet, who are only interested in looking after friends and family. But she has to stay focused on the end game, and update His Excellency, President Granger, constantly on her work, to reinforce why he made that decision to choose her for that portfolio.

This means that she must continually prepare technical reports, outlining the problems her team found, the action they collectively took, and the success she brought to the table for the government. In an environment of empirical evidence and social media, the petit bourgeoisie in the Cabinet will have to run for cover.

She is also fortunate to have a well-grounded politician as her senior Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence. Together, they have started off on the right path to help the poor and the powerless.

Observation on Minister Broomes

1. What she said on the campaign trail, she has started to advance rapidly. Thus the people will find her as a straight-up and honest person. The same cannot be said for some of her colleagues, some of whom have been caught by the media to be downright untruthful characters.

2.  She delegates, but at the same time is not afraid to jump into the real-life situation. In less than six (6) months, her trips to Regent Street and New Amsterdam were able to highlight issues that have been around for decades, with everyone in power under Team Jagdeo/Ramotar turning a blind eye on it (lack of basic facilities for workers and underpayment of those earning minimum wages). How can a businessman be so callous that he underpays someone at the bottom of the economic ladder?  If it were possible in the law, such people should have been flogged for robbing the poor.

3.  Her communication style is simple: the law is there, follow it. We do not care what you did before; the question on the table is – are you following the law? If you have a problem following the law, call my office and we shall help you upgrade until you are compliant with the law; but there is no alternative, you must follow the law. There are basic minimums that every employer must follow under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1997, and she insists that they must be followed. There is a minimum wage in Guyana, follow it.

4.  Her confidence level on the issues under her portfolio is so high that she is seen as the natural leader to put out fires on the big and difficult worker-related issues. Thus staff morale in her team remains high. She will advocate at all levels for the work that has to be done, and she is willing to fight for her cause. People who work under her can expect job satisfaction.

5.  Minister Broomes is committed to her portfolio, and if she has to be on the river at 5 a.m. to do her job, she is there. I wish she can be given the role to progress the model to clothe, feed, house and re-educate the street people; to offer them a chance at a better life.

6.  Everyone who has been around Minister Broomes told me she is a positive person, always looking for a solution to the problem, and making excuses is not her forte. We need more ministers with the people skills like Minister Broomes. She is a clear indication that the Granger/Nagamootoo Cabinet needs more women inside.

7. Some decisions on the human relations front are not always clear-cut, and thus one must respect the creativity of Minister Broomes as she attacks the issue. Some may say she is rough, but she has results to show that she has helped the situation for the betterment of the lives of the poor and the working class.

8. Most of the cases under Minister Broomes’s portfolio are in unchartered waters, but she is never afraid to take the initiative, the risk, and conduct the operation. So far, the outcome has always been positive for the workers, and her work will redound to a positive electoral outcome for the APNU+AFC. It is unfortunate that these successes created by Minister Broomes are being whittled away by portfolios like GPL under Minister David Patterson.

So, in the final analysis, in my books, the Political Executive of 2015 is none other than Minister Simona Broomes, who has fundamentally changed the landscape for the workers at the bottom of the pay scale.  She is a political asset for any political party to have, and I wish her well in 2016 as she continues to check out the working conditions for the workers in Vreed-en-Hoop, Rose Hall, and Corriverton.

Also, most important is for there to be a second-walk on Regent Street to follow up on the recommendations made in 2015.  After educating the employers, it is now time to take the delinquents to court. Employers must pay their employees at least the minimum wage; nothing less.

In the good book, at Deuteronomy 24:14, it says: “You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy.” Minister Broomes, you are on the right path.