GUYANA Public Service Union (GPSU) President, Patrick Yarde, has threatened industrial action if front line workers are not adequately remunerated.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, had recently said that genuine concerns of health workers have been radicalised and exploited by persons who want to appear as “independent actors”.
The President had maintained that his government is committed to improving the prospect and livelihood of nurses, doctors, clerical and frontline workers, even outside of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We are looking at assistance in the housing programme, not only increases in salary… better working conditions, better add-on benefits… nurses with children would benefit from the cash incentive, the cash grants, they will benefit from the uniform allowance, and the removal of VAT on electricity and water,” said President Ali.
According to Yarde at a press conference on Thursday at the GPSU headquarters, Shiv-Chandrapaul Drive, a letter of ultimatum was delivered to Heath Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and the chief executive officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC).

Yarde is looking for a “positive response” from the minister by October 6 or the union will work to mobilise and support countrywide protest actions.
“Unless these concerns are addressed the union will not only support the nurses protest action but will work towards it being intensified,” stated Yarde.

The commencement of the nurses’ protest, according to Yarde, was based on the frustration Guyana’s frontline workers have faced for several years. He added that the issue being raised and the protest actions that followed are not in isolation, explaining that there were two past ultimatums issued on previous Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, and the CEO of the GPHC. He claimed following consultations with the then Coalition Government, the ultimatums were put on hold.
Government, in the recently-presented 2020 Budget has allocated some $150 million for frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ali had said he understands that every category of worker wants more, and wants better.

And, he assured that the government has better to deliver, and that the authorities are committed to ensuring that all categories of workers have a better standard of living, better opportunities, and greater prospects in the future.

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, reacting to comments made by Yarde told the Guyana Chronicle that, based on the information reaching his office, there is no need for an intervention by the Ministry of Labour.

He added that he is aware the Ministry of Public Service and the GPHC are working together to address the matter and has been receiving daily updates from the chief labour officer, who has been getting information from every area that there is a protest on the matter.

At this stage, he said the Ministry of Labour is not being mobilised to make a statement or take any action.