–Dr Jagdeo advises teachers

WITH the lack of transparency at the helm of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has urged teachers not be misled by the union and instead return to work.

It has been four weeks since the GTU orchestrated an illegal strike action and despite the shocking revelations regarding the union’s financial mismanagement and the shady remarks made by executives of the union regarding “corporate sponsors,” these pressing matters have not been addressed by the union.

During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Jagdeo referenced a ruling handed down by the Privy Council, which underscores that if one does not work, they cannot be paid.

Notably, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the highest Court of Appeal for many Commonwealth countries, as well as the United Kingdom’s overseas territories, crown dependencies, and military sovereign base areas.

Jagdeo related: “In fact, the laws of Guyana confirm if you don’t work, you will not be paid…case history from the Privy Council…upheld that principle.”

With that said, the PPP General Secretary firmly remarked: “So, they will continue to collect information on those who are absenting themselves from the classroom.”

He added: “My fear is that they’re misleading teachers into believing that the matter is resolved, and they can strike as much, as long as they wish and they will be paid forever.”

The General Secretary further said that the matter will be determined in favour of the principle, “that has long been established and the deductions if taken, at that time, would be harsher.”

Noting the consequences of following the union’s calls in spite of their prominent red flags, the PPP General Secretary urged teachers to not be misled by the narratives peddled by the GTU.

Jagdeo said: “I’m urging the teachers not to be misled by what you hear from the union, you’ve heard so many misleading things already.”

According to Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Wednesday, the judge extended an invitation to the Guyana Teachers Union and the Government of Guyana, urging them to engage in dialogue and expressed a desire to see the parties communicate, as the continuous strike action does not serve the public interest.

He said: “I indicated to the court that the government would like to see the teachers in the school, the judge also said he wants to see the parties at a table talking. The judge wanted me to give a commitment that this will take place; I respectfully informed the judge that I act on behalf of a collective and I am only one member of that collective and I need to get the collective’s opinion and guidance before I commit them to any course of action.”