Ramotar pleads with workers not to put country in “further danger” on May 11

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

Delivering the feature address at the rally of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in the National Park, the President said, “The PPP/C gov’t is a working class government…we have implemented numerous legislation to improve your income, directly and indirectly.”

He noted that even when the economy grew by 4.5%, workers were still given their 5% wages and salaries increase by the PPP/C administration. The Head of State has promised to increase minimum wage, once the economy continues to grow. He also promised that once his administration is re-elected to office, the Amaila falls project will come on stream, which would create additional employment.

Meanwhile, other speakers at the event called for local unions to come under one umbrella, noting that this will help them to operate from the same manual and achieve betterment for workers at a faster rate.

President of the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU),which the largest union in Guyana, Komal Chand acknowledged the sacrifices of others for the working class to operate under better conditions and wages and salaries.

Chand also spoke of the struggles that workers are faced with internationally, but was keen not to mention the challenges here in Guyana for the working class, who continue to call for increased wages and improved operating conditions.

The GAWU President reminded the workers of their experience for the past three years where numerous cuts were made to a number of developmental projects in the National Assembly by the combined Opposition.

As such, he used the forum to urge workers to ensure that they vote on May 11 to sustain democracy which was, “returned to Guyana in 1992.”

He also called on workers to ensure elections are free and fair when they head to the polls.

As it relates to the sugar sector, he pointed out that the industry he explained provides jobs for 17,000 employees, 2000 cane farmers and is sustaining over 120,000 families, noting that it is pivotal that sugar is sustained.

He then expressed pleasure at the plan of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to invest $20B into the industry over a five year period if it is re-elected to office post May 11.

Meanwhile, President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan during his brief remarks said it is time for workers to plan for the future and reminisce on their failure in an effort to move on.

Duncan acknowledged that a number of improvements are still needed for the workers to operate more efficiently. The senior trade unionist admitted that the unemployment rate in Guyana is high, but instead of making suggestions for solutions, he pointed to the higher unemployment rate that other Caribbean countries are facing.

“Guyana has been doing better than many other countries in the Caribbean.”

He then blamed the opposition coalition for additional unemployment rate, due to the budget cuts that have been made to a number of projects under the PPP/C administration, citing the Amaila Hydro power project. Projects of that nature he noted would have created employment for hundreds of Guyanese, as the new Marriott Hotel has done.

But it was after this remark that the crowd was riled up and started shouting, “we can’t afford to go there.” This in no way dampened Duncan’s spirit and he continued to boast about the numerous developmental projects that the government continues to undertake to the benefit of the Guyanese people.

He then diverted to remind the workers of the elections season that they are in and called on them to remember that it is not about them but, “their children and grandchildren and whatever decision you make will impact them…consider how you mark your x and don’t listen to gossip, think for yourself.”

“Examine from where we came, where we are and where we hope to be, if we don’t do that we will be failing ourselves, children and history, the future is in your hands, the time is right when you have to make a choice,” Duncan said.

The rally was held under the theme: “United for continued progress and development.”