Government’s decision to subvert the Labour Ministry into a department within the Social Protection Ministry, two of Guyana’s prominent trade unions are disgruntled by the decision and have demanded the reestablishment of the ministry.
At a joint press conference Monday, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and Federation of Independent Trades Union of Guyana (FITUG) voiced their concerns on the matter.
As the unions are preparing for its May Day Rally, they are reiterating calls for government to rescind its decision to have the ministry reduced to a mere department of labour.
As a result of the decision, the unions are complaining that workers do not have an equitable chance of their rights being adequately represented since there seems to be a disjointed ministry for this purpose.
General Secretary of GTUC Lincoln Lewis cited that this is the first time in the country’s history that the Ministry of Labour had been ‘pushed out’ even at a time when Guyana is said to be advancing.
Lewis underlined the core value of having a labour ministry and its relation to building a country that is sustainable and geared towards development.
With the ministry eliminated from government, he said this shows there is no emphasis being placed on workers and more so a representation for their rights.
Lewis believes the government had “twisted” the system, since the Ministry of Social Protection should have been an element of the Ministry of Labour and not the other way around.
Since there is no labour ministry, Lewis said there is less engagement with the labour movement and as such there is a reduced chance of having consultations and discussions to address issues within the sector.
He stressed that when union issues arise, there is no particular ministry that one can turn to, neither a minister was chosen to independently represent the public servants.
After taking to office in May 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change government reconfigured, created, and renamed a number of ministries.
The unions are appealing to government to review its decision and work in favour of public servants to have the deserved attention placed on a ministry to address their affairs.
Lewis is being taken for a ride. Isn’t it this same movement Fight-Tug who branch away in the previous administration enjoying the hand outs while the members of TUC was placed on the back burner. When will Labour learn, we must hod our leaders accountable. Why are we allowing these opportunist to use our mass strength to assure their ego and wants and not our need.
Labour in the first place should not have a split for it rains at each labour door.
At the MOL nothing change. What we have is the most incompetent Person leading the Labour department, this is what we have to change. The Unions won’t for he is an incompetent friend.
Lewis is throwing water pon Duck back.
Less engagement with labour movement after ministry was ‘pushed out’ – unions..
Government’s decision to subvert the Labour Ministry into a department within the Social Protection Ministry, two of Guyana’s prominent trade unions are disgruntled by the decision and have demanded the reestablishment of the ministry…
Let see if one day – just one time- one moment they will speak the truth..
Had PPPC done this – you bet the same “disgrunts” would have already take to the streets and if it did not get its way the beating and robbing looting and burning would commenced on innocent citizens and businesses.
Most Guyanese would say you get the kind of government you wanted installed so deal with it live with it.