By Ravin Singh

THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) are calling for a return to collective bargaining, and for the Government to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) as was promised prior to its assumption to executive office.GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis expressed these sentiments on behalf of the combined unions on Friday at the Critchlow Labour College. He said the labour movement is aware of calls being made for unity, as defined by all being affiliated to one federation, but he noted that in pursuing unity, the unions must hold one head and demand better for the entire labour force of Guyana.

Prior to its assumption to office, the APNU+AFC coalition had committed to reducing VAT incrementally during the elections campaign. The promised was even listed as one of the plans to be completed within the coalition’s first 100 days in office. This promise is, however, yet to be fulfilled.

During this year’s budget presentation, the Government did not announce any salary increases for public servants, but subsequently stated that this would succeed a process of collective bargaining which would be reintroduced. That announcement was at that time lauded by Lewis, since it has been one of the calls the unions had been making over the years. However, to date, no attempts have been made to reintroduce it. And given this situation, the General Secretary noted, collective bargaining is one of the top priorities in the unions’ proposal to the Government.

Lewis has also rejected a justification by the Government that it was awaiting the findings of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the public service to determine the way forward on wages for workers. He reasoned that salary increases for workers should not be stalled pending the findings of the state of the public service – which is what the CoI is mandated to investigate.
Rather, he suggested, the Government should meet with the unions at the soonest possible time and discuss the way forward for salary increases for workers.

Not limited to just VAT reduction and collective bargaining, Lewis outlined several other issues in his presentation, which he said the combined unions have all agreed need attention from the Government. These are: honouring the 2012 High Court decision on re-issuing letters for arbitration, to bring resolution to outstanding issues existing between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI); development of a national programme for the creation of jobs; establishment of a Labour and Economic Council to advise Government on issues impacting the nation’s performance and workers’ welfare; a mechanism established and honoured to address the sugar industry. This must, according to the unions, involve constant engagement among Government, cane farmers, GuySuCo, trade unions in the sugar industry, and other stakeholders; establishment of a Foreign Investment Commission to address the telecommunication and natural resources sectors; review of tax concessions granted to companies; National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and state pension addressed and protected; respect for the Rule of Law, universal declarations, conventions, charters and time-honoured principles; establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal; speedy resolution to all outstanding issues in the Teaching and Public Services; and an end to all contract workers being employed in fixed establishments.