Dear Editor,

IF politicians lose sight of the universally acceptable principle that good governance and the harmonious relationship among the people of a country are reliant on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law, universal declarations, international conventions and charters, this nation will never progress.Note is being taken of the utterances of Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, about the Guyana Trades Union Congress’s (GTUC) posture in the examination of the 2017 National Budget. Let me seek, as General Secretary of this body, to make it very clear: the affairs of the GTUC are underpinned by universally acceptable labour principles which are grounded in international charters, conventions, constitution, and laws.
The GTUC’s interaction with any individual, group, or office holder is guided by these.

The Executive has a responsibility to this society to uphold the rule of law to its letter, spirit and intent. It is the responsibility of this branch of government to, where persons have violated the law, set in train actions to bring about justice.

This society is aware of the mismanagement of the nation prior to May 2015. The people have consistently called for those responsible to be held accountable. It is the duty of the Minister of Public Security and the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to proceed in bringing about the accountability the people seek.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition is enshrined in the Guyana Constitution. Presently, Bharrat Jagdeo holds this office. Labour’s position on Jagdeo’s stewardship as President is publicly well known and documented, which Minister Ramjattan is aware of. The GTUC respects the Constitution, and will abide by it.

Every member of the National Assembly, including those on the Government bench, refers to Jagdeo as Leader of the Opposition, an office he was elected to.

The GTUC held, at the Parliament Buildings, an engagement with Jagdeo at his request, to discuss the appointment of the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, which is another constitutional office. This response was consistent with our responsibility outlined in Articles 23, 38, 147, 149C of the Guyana Constitution.

It should be said that, to date, the APNU+AFC Administration has refused to meet the unions, inasmuch as the constitution specifies our role in the nation and its development. It may help this administration to do some introspection rather than having the ministers lashing out without giving careful thought to what they are saying; because, in the eyes of the public, they are coming across as reckless, entitled, and self-serving.

Minister Ramjattan should be mindful: while the administration of which he is part is failing to discharge its responsibility under the law to hold persons accountable for their stewardship of this country, and refuses to engage stakeholders consistent with the constitution, the administration is losing the moral ground to stand on. When Jagdeo activates the constitution consistent with the office he holds, and is engaging stakeholders, he is playing shrewd and compelling politics.

Accusing persons of supporting him is a simplistic argument, which can be construed as masking failure to treat stakeholders and citizens with regard, and govern consistent with the rule of law.

Let me seek to put the minster’s viewpoint in perspective from the GTUC’s standpoint. The GTUC’s positions on the Budget have been made clear, given the impact it is likely to have on our constituents — past, present and potential workers, unionised and non-unionised. The GTUC has been unflinching in speaking out on issues over the years, guided by universally acceptable principles, not loyalty or kowtowing to any person or group — which the minister can attest to, and our record can withstand scrutiny to the effect.
Regards,
LINCOLN LEWIS