RETIRED Judge, Claudette La Bennett has been nominated chairperson of the Trade Union Recognition Board, the Ministry of Social Protection said on Thursday.

In a release, the ministry said subject Minister Amna Ally had met with representatives from the Tripartite Constituency on the matter. The TUR&CB is responsible for, among other things, certifying various trade unions so that workers’ rights can be legally and correctly represented. The Board endorses the recognition of unions as bargaining agents for workers.

According to the ministry, consultations were conducted with the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana, which was represented by Mr. Dawchan Nagasar– General Secretary, accompanied by Mr. Seepaul Narine. The Guyana Trade Union Congress was represented by Lincoln Lewis–General Secretary; and the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry was represented by Mr. Samuel Goolsarran, Consultant/Adviser who all met with Ally separately.

The consultations were done in the presence of Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection; Karen Vansluytman– Chief Labour Officer (ag), Ministry of Social Protection; and Sonia Philander, an independent note-taker.

There were two nominees for the position of chairman: Mr. Grantley Culbard, a veteran trade unionist who was recommended by FITUG and La Bennett, who was endorsed by CAGI and GTUC. The ministry said Justice La Bennett has indicated her willingness to serve in the position as Chairperson.