FOR THE purpose of the opposition PNCR, and ITS acolytes in the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC), I have provided an addendum to the International Trades Union Confederation Report which was obviously incomprehensive, misleading and deliberate in avoiding the positive developments in labour in Guyana. Successive PPP/Civic administrations since 1992 have accumulated an incomparable track record in the area of improving working conditions and worker rights. In this regard:

– the minimum wage has increased dramatically;

– the income tax threshold has increased;

– reforms have been made to the payment of vacation allowance to public officers resulting in automatic payment in cash at a specified time each year;

– teachers have been provided with a vacation allowance for the first time;

– a temporary cost of living allowance was paid when food and fuel prices had spiked;

– inflation has been brought under control to avoid eroding the value of worker wages;

– important pieces of legislation such as Holidays with Pay Act, a Trade Union Recognition Act, an Occupational Safety and Health Act, etc., have been enacted, while critical amendments have been made to previous legislation such as the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Factory Hours and Holidays Act, Employment of Young Children Act. All of these aim at improving worker rights and working conditions;

– At the same time, the legislated minimum wage of specified categories of workers, e.g., bakeries, gas stations, etc, has increased by statute;

– Inspection of worksites has increased considerably, to ensure that worker safety in the workplace in protected.

– Social services have expanded, enabling all workers to access more widely social services of a high quality;

– A strong emphasis has been placed on training and human resources development among public sector employees, with the result that employees are encouraged to pursue higher education, and the higher education system has been invested in accordingly;

– A policy has been developed to help vulnerable members of the work force, such as single parents, with strategies such as the daycare vouchers which are specifically aimed at ensuring that single parents are not excluded from the work force because of the parental and economic status.