The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has called on the government to implement a comprehensive social and economic package for persons affected as a result of the nationwide lockdown.

In a release on Monday, FITUG called for the approval of direct financial support to the self-employed and jobless to ensure they are able to sustain their obligations and maintain their families.

They also urged the government to ensure that its workers suffer no loss of pay and to advocate for the same from private employers. When it comes to debt and other financial arrears, FITUG pushed for a suspension of payments for six months and rescheduling of debt obligations of workers.

This would see the formulation of arrangements with hire purchase, commercial banks and other lending institutions, and a debt write-off for the unemployed.

“Today, we have too many Guyanese who are without work and are finding it even more difficult by the day to feed their families. To sound fanciful is one thing, but when people’s lives and wellbeing are at stake it is a completely different situation,” the body stated.

Overall it wants the assurance that the rights of workers are safeguarded and that no worker is exploited during the period. Other measures recommended by FITUG include an extension of the deadline for submission of income and other tax returns; exemption from duties and other fees and taxes of items critical to wellbeing and the fight against COVID-19, and a complete waiver of income and value-added taxes for at least six months to cushion the hike in the cost-of-living.

It also requested a suspension of electricity, water, phone and internet tariffs for all households for the next six months.

Already, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has deferred the payment of corporate and individual advance taxes and PAYE for businesses such as airline and tourism and associated industries.

GTT has offered free mobile services for healthcare workers during the pandemic and the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has suspended disconnections and several other services temporarily.

FITUG acknowledged the marked reduction in fuel cost and the distribution of food hampers through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) but noted that the latter requires effective criteria to identify the needy.

It also noted that the best-case scenario should see the hampers benefitting all Guyanese. Even so, the body said that the aforementioned efforts will not be enough to meet the needs of Guyanese

The body called for the distribution of masks, gloves and other necessary items to the wider populace; the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the provision of free transportation to all frontline workers, especially those in the hospitals who are providing yeoman service.

FITUG also recommended wide scale testing — beginning with the most likely to be exposed — as a means to get a better handle of the situation and overcome the crisis in a shorter period.

Regarding the elections period, the body requested that the recount of votes cast, set to commence soon, to be concluded in short order so that the country can move on to better address the COVID-19 issues.