Dear Editor
THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) welcomes the release of the contract between Guyana and ExxonMobil and notes that this was made possible due to the unrelenting militancy of the Guyanese public. Further, government’s response is not only indicative that it can listen to the people, but also testimony of what citizens can achieve when energies are channelled.
The GTUC is in the process of a detailed perusal of the document and calls on Guyanese to do likewise and remain engaged. Conscious that the contract has been signed and is binding between the two parties, inasmuch as labour’s opinion during the negotiations was not solicited, the GTUC looks forward to working with stakeholders, including government, in policing the agreement.
The GTUC takes note of the Local Content Policy element in the contract and wishes to advise government and ExxonMobil that the constitution and laws of Guyana must be paramount in the execution of the industry’s activities. Labour must be employed and function in an environment that is respectful of fundamental rights and freedoms, including occupational safety and health standards.
The GTUC is also mindful that given government has said it is pursuing a “Green” economy, the pillars upon which this policy is built– i.e. the environment, labour policies and sustainable development– must see accompanying programmes and the realisation and enforcement of laws to give true meaning. There are legitimate concerns that the oil-and-gas industry is not necessarily mindful of practices that safeguard the environment and bring about sustainable development.
ExxonMobil is new to Guyana and the GTUC is not unmindful of its international reputation and relations with governments across the spectrum, but is prepared to give the company an opportunity to embrace best practices, including corporate responsibility and treating our environment, citizens/workers with dignity and respect. That Guyana has become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the GTUC shall be monitoring the contract’s implementation to ensure consistency with the rules and standards set out therein.
The GTUC retains abiding interest in labour being engaged in productive activities and this means not only full employment, but that of other economic opportunities — direct and indirect. To this end, the GTUC calls on government to strengthen the infrastructure to track unemployment and employment levels and across the various industries and sectors. This must not only be applicable to ensuring Exxon abides by the contract regarding Guyanese labour, but that of an important factor in holistic development.
Regards
Guyana Trades Union Congress
