–Chand hails ‘unity and togetherness’ of recent observances, developments

VICE-President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Komal

Chand, on Monday called on unions countrywide to stand firm in the face of rising challenges.

He did so from the standpoint of what he sees as the unity and togetherness that characterises this year’s Labour Day Rally, which marks the second consecutive year the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and FITUG have collaborated to host the event.

“In recent months, we have seen improved collaboration and cooperation among our bodies. This is indeed a positive development,” Chand told the multitude of working-class people gathered at the National Park to celebrate the event, adding that the challenges of the day demand greater unity, a sentiment that was expressed by many of the other trade unionists and political leaders who took to the podium.

“Today, we see hard-won benefits, conditions and rights won through struggles and sacrifices, under attack and at risk of being rolled back,” he said, adding:
“It is incumbent on us all to defend, protect and advance our class-gains, and help to build a country that will assure that our tomorrows are better; one where our rights are upheld and our lives are qualitatively enriched.”

RISING CHALLENGES
Though his claims of rising challenges and mounting pressures for the working-class were later rebuffed by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphel Trotman, who spoke on the government’s behalf at the rally, Chand opined that the promise of ‘A Good Life’ is far from being realised.

He said that what may have helped contribute to this state of affairs is the seeming decline of the country’s economy, and the under-performance of the productive sectors, which have all helped to further devalue the Guyana dollar.

“In such situations,” the veteran trade unionist said, “the working people and their families are the hardest-hit victims.

“They experience now-a-days increases, oftentimes steep, in the cost-of-living; there is the shuttering of businesses, or the reduction of business activity, which have brought on retrenchments; the obvious dire consequences that will result from reduced national expenditure; the unfortunate decline of workers’ savings and pension funds in real terms, among other things. “Clearly, in such trying times, not ‘A Good Life’ but a grim future is ahead.”

Looking on the bright side, however, Chand said the government would do well to take the necessary measures to stimulate growth within the economy.

Turning his attention to his favourite hobby-horse as President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), this being the fate of the ailing sugar industry, Chand said FITUG strongly believes that the challenges facing the industry are not insurmountable; except that the government seems hell-bent on scaling down the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO).

“While various officials of the Executive are telling us that ‘sugar is too big to fail’ and that the ‘sugar will never die’, we see their actions not in sync with their utterances. “The sad and disturbing reality, at this time, is that the government seems intent on pushing thousands of ordinary, hardworking, decent Guyanese into a life of desperation and possibly depravity,” he contended.

He feels that the government’s plans for the Sugar Industry are riddled with loopholes, and from all indications, there is a clear need to return to the drawing board.

Despite naysayers, FITUG is holding firm to its position that the Sugar Industry can be transformed into a viable and sustainable industry.

“We hold that the industry has possibilities for its sustenance and success; we hold that with the proper elements — the present workforce, a capable management and with considered innovative measures — Government support will be required for a period only, as the industry moves to turnaround itself,” he stated.

Among those who spoke at Monday’s rally was People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member and Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who amidst loud heckling, echoed similar sentiments as Chand did, in that she foresees a dim future for Guyana under the current administration.