Dear Editor

AS the nation takes note of the conditionalities set by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, before any meeting with President David Granger to address Guyana’s election and the function of parliament, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on behalf of the workers of Guyana (past, present and potential) takes this opportunity to add to this very important meeting.

These conditionalities are not predicated on any effort to secure power to govern, they seek only to ensure that regardless of who governs (APNU+AFC Coalition/PPP/C/ or other) that the workers/citizens’ rights and benefits are taken into consideration. These measures are also geared to facilitate greater cooperation among the members of the National assembly

The time is now, and this nation must wait no longer to set up constitutional structures and systems to protect the working class of this country. We have seen the struggle for national unity evading us with every election cycle as politicians, with their own self-serving power-driven needs, catapult this nation on the brink of chaos, time and time again, pitting one race against another, village against village, workers and communities against each other.

This must end if we are to realise our potential as a country and our position among regional and international leaders; if we are to keep our people at home willing to contribute to this nation’s development.
It is noted Mr. Jagdeo’s calls are absent of the considerations important to the wellbeing of our collective relationships and development even as the government’s agenda has no stated pre-conditionalities. We urge that these conditionalities proposed by the GTUC be considered. We ask, in the interest of ensuring that regardless of the next election outcome, that these protective and other mechanisms be put in place before elections are held.

We remind this nation and all who are looking on at the challenges in Guyana at this time, that the requests of the GTUC are not out of order or impossible to attain, if it is the interest of the politician to serve this nation well. In 1990, a precedent was set when Opposition Leader Cheddie Jagan requested that President Desmond Hoyte government satisfy certain conditionalities before election was held. This request was supported, as society felt it was important for both major political parties to satisfy the necessary conditionalities before an election date was announced.

We also remind all, least it is forgotten or becomes an issue of contention, that parliament was at the time dissolved and had to be reconvened. The current parliament has not been dissolved. Therefore, there can be no excuse by either side to deny an opportunity to strengthen our systems of government and ensure the workers of Guyana feel safe and secured regardless of which party/group wins an election.

The citizens and workers of this country are called on to rally around this call that elevates their standing and interest in this electoral process of ours. Let us fear no more. There is pride and dignity in standing up and fighting for what you believe in. We have a proud history of successful struggles from slavery to pre-independence. We must continue to struggle within to strengthen our Republic and stop the predatory politics where election is only about winners and losers and who ‘pan tap’.

These conditionalities are made available for either or both side(s) to advance, and to recognise that serving the interest of the people must be paramount at all times. Outside of this current time when both the government and Opposition are under pressure we the people will have no guarantees. There is little hope that these requests will be attended to after an election is won because politicians across the divide continue to fail us by not delivering consistent with pre-election promises, the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. The time for action is now.

GTUC’s Proposal:

1. The establishment of an Industrial court– to regulate industrial relationships between employer, workers and their unions; creation of harmony, prevention and settlement of industrial disputes

2. Unemployment benefit (National Insurance Scheme)– for contribution for and payment of unemployment

3. Health– national and regional healthcare policy, aimed to improve regional healthcare system, free and accessible dialysis with government support welfare services as required to access. Complete diagnostic and other interventional healthcare services in every region. In the current state, opportunities are not sufficiently available to the poor and the working class to access such services as dialysis, advanced cardiac monitoring, management and intervention. Public access to annual mammogram, pap, and periodic prostate screening for men aged 50 years and over

4. Education– enforcement of Article 27 of the Guyana Constitution– (‘Right to free education from nursery to university’). Prescribed amount of revenue from oil and gas be allocated to the public education sector, with emphasis placed on (1) specialised science and technology-based high schools (2) modernising the University of Guyana, extending science, technology and healthcare faculty and academic programme to address developing needs

5. National Budget– the Appropriation Bill to be passed by not less than 60 per cent of all elected members of the National Assembly

6. Women and Youth representation– amendment to The Representation of the People’s Act to make mandatory a percentage of their sitting in the National Assembly, where at least one-third of women is established, and the proposed quarter for youth for consideration

7. Regional Members of Parliament— as representatives for the region, each member of parliament must be elected to the National Assembly through a process of direct balloting by the electorate. This will bring about greater representative and accountability to the community they are elected to serve

8. Judiciary– confirmation of the present Chancellor and Chief Justice. Consequently, it is recommended the President and Leader of the Opposition retroactively confirm Justices Carl Singh and Ian Chang with the concomitant benefits. Review the system used for the appointment of these two office holders

9. Senior citizens– national policy document aimed at deepening of social services for this demographic. Improved conditions at the Palms geriatric hospital. Specialised geriatric services at all public hospitals and institutions

10. Composition of State Boards– at least 50 per-cent of each State board be comprised of the political nominees and appointees from among the political parties sitting in the national assembly, based on their proportional representation in the House. The remaining seats be distributed among non-governmental organisations that represent special interest

11. Establishment of the constitutional Human Rights Commission– to give meaning to Articles 212N to 212P in the Guyana Constitution;

12. Establishment and continual function of all constitutional commissions, tribunal and boards, where the life of one comes to an end and for any reason a new one has not been constituted, the life of the current board, commission or tribunal shall continue until such time that the appropriate action is taken. Non-appointment of any constitutional body constitutes a violation of the Constitution

13. Establishment of Economic Council– a body constituted from Labour, Business and Civil Society that advises government on issues pertaining to economic development

14. Oil and gas industry
— (i) Local Content Policy be reviewed by stakeholders, brought to the legislature and passed into law

(ii) Jobs– jobs created in this industry, Guyanese must be given primacy not only in accessing same, but be paid corresponding wages and salaries that are being paid to foreigners who are employed in similar occupation

(iii) Business– opportunities must be made available that Guyanese business benefit from all economic endeavours in this industry

(iv) Education and training– there must be continuous education and training to enhance local skills to take advantage of the industry

15. Land Policy and Rights– National Policy position aimed at protection of Guyana’s land for Guyanese. (Trinidad and Tobago offers a model– not selling land to multinational oil and gas). All housing and land distribution to include basic infrastructure (lights, water, drainage and all-weather roads)

16. Amendment to Article 106(6) of the Guyana Constitution – at least two-thirds or 60 per-cent votes of all members of the National Assembly for a vote to be successful. No nation should be subjected to confidence that is passed by a simple majority. The risk of this happening again is real

17. Legislation and convention– to establish guidelines for how government and parliament “functions” after a successful confidence vote

18. State media– legislation to ensure access to stakeholders and opposition during elections. Not just for 2019, but to protect all opposition parties as we move forward

19. Campaign finance reform– legislation for full disclosure of campaign financing, and all contributions for electioneering purpose with percentage limits applied to overall sum of campaign cost.

Regards
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary GTUC