LAST Christmas in this very column, the story was told of an encounter with a police officer who expressed a view that has become prophetic. That officer stopped me on the streets and said, Mr. Lewis during the PPP/C government at Christmas time the military received a yearly tax-free bonus, which was the equivalent of one month’s salary.

He was concerned that since the APNU+AFC government,for which he and many of his colleagues had voted in 2015, reduced that bonus by 50 per cent; it was only a matter of time before they received none. He went on to proclaim that the bonus would come to an end during the life of this government. That officer is not known to me personally. Chances are we may not necessarily meet again. But wherever he is, should he be reading this column I can say to him, were I a gambler for money I would have lost.

Bonuses, whether negotiated or put in place by the employer, becomes a condition of one’s employment and cannot be taken away arbitrarily by the employer. The question may be asked-in the absence of the military being unionised, how could this have been avoided? There exists the Police Association which prosecutes issues on behalf of the members of the force and is recognised by the state. As such, issues of this nature the association should have been engaged with a view to discussing same. The unilateral decision by the government to remove the bonus is wrong.

Were members of the military unionised, the union would have fought this matter tooth and nail and for as long as it takes. Cases such these bring to the fore my disagreement with the law that says members of the disciplined services cannot be unionised. This law denies these workers the right to freedom of association with is fundamental and constitutionally protected. It should be tested in court and it is hoped that there is an attorney-at-law desirous of ensuring civil liberties prevail in society and will volunteer his/her service to have a judicial determination.

Most workers look forward to the year-end bonus. Where the majority, including rank- and-file officers in the military, can be categorised as the working poor, that bonus is usually seen as a necessity. For it not only aids in ensuring the traditional Christmas festivities — special food, decorating and gift-giving — but also making the sacred holiday enjoyable, memorable and the enhancing of relationships between colleagues and loved ones.

There is also an empathy factor or management/worker relationship often taken for granted, but must never ever be underestimated in decision-making. Workers are not beasts of burden. Without them, the production-to-consumption stage would be nothing because workers are not only producers, they are also consumers. When workers feel their labour is valued and rewarded, they take seriously their jobs which enhances production and productivity.

Information advises me that our men and women in uniform were not told that this year the bonus would have been taken out of the system. Common courtesy would have expected that the government make an official announcement rather than remain silent, which also suggests that they know the act is unconscionable and will not be countenanced by the workers who will be affected.

Given that a bonus is considered an incentive for performance and other factors, the performance of the force this year, barring few exceptions, has improved. This is a dichotomy in the system in that as performance improves you remove the incentive, which is one of the pillars in bringing about improved results. When you take away a bonus, outside of it being agreed upon, you dis-incentivise or weaken the system.

This one-month bonus was also in the system for public servants and teachers and it has been systematically removed, gradually stripping workers of their dignity by reducing their earnings, purchasing capacity and ability to make ends meet. Even removal of the taxes on low wage earners cannot compensate for the arbitrary removal of the bonus. We are talking about three important areas this callous decision has impacted  1) dignity, 2) economic circumstances and 3) the manner in which this administration treats with workers.

There is a domino effect which is bound to send ripples to all and sundry. That worker will have less disposable income. With less disposal income there is reduced purchasing power. With reduced purchasing power commerce and VAT are impacted, and additional burden is placed on overseas loved ones or kindred spirits to help in the supplementation of income. A disgruntled worker will find it challenging to give of his best. Before making the decision to withdraw the bonus, all the aforementioned should have been placed on the table and studiously analysed.

As an aside, but not incidental to the issue of income, for those sugar workers who are being placed on the breadline, there must be an urgent coming together of stakeholders  to address their dislocation. GuySuCo and government must meet with the sugar unions to hammer out a way forward. The PPP/C must be called on to put forward feasible solution/s on the industry’s future. Likewise, we must call on them to stop playing partisan politics with the workers’ welfare. Times are hard.  The ordinary man and woman are catching hell and it is harder for those who don’t know from where their next dollar or meal is coming.

The situation of those workers who were employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), having to enter the ninth year without any strident redress on the government’s part to address the transgressions they have suffered at the hands of foreign management must too be condemned. Many are still without work, having been placed on the breadline by a vicious management for taking a stand in protection  of their fundamental rights and freedoms. These workers and their loved ones continue to catch hell. The group that gave assurances that should they be elected to office workers will no longer be disrespected and collective bargaining will be restored are proving their words cannot be trusted. People cannot live on empty promises and wind. Government continues to abrogate its duty and responsibility to the workers and the industrial landscape is littered with cases too much to mention.

This government has to stop fooling itself that it can guarantee the confidence of citizens/workers as it sits on its hands, talk glibly and allow foreign forces to trample our laws and the sovereignty of its people. Acceptance of disrespect for the nation’s laws by any government that is custodian of them adversely reflects on the incumbent.

Outside of the beginning of a school year when workers have to dig deep into their pockets to ensure their children get the needed school supplies, Christmas is the single most important financial event for them and loved ones. It is a calendar event that cuts across religions and ethnicities. Adding stress to the working poor, who are already financially burdened, will ensure a blue Christmas, not the promised ‘Good Life.’

Let me end by wishing the citizens/workers of Guyana a Blessed Christmas. Here’s hoping amidst the spirit of merry-making and reflection, the reason for Christ’s birth will also see the redoubling of efforts and commitment to uphold the values by which he lived and for which he gave His life. For His was a birth signalling new beginning, exemplified in the philosophy of leadership by example and treating all with respect and dignity, be they red, yellow, black or white, lowly or esteemed.