FITUG reiterates calls for more comprehensive COVID-19 measures

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is continuing its call for more comprehensive measures to be implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FITUG said while there are commendable parts of the National Coronavirus Task Force’s (NCTF) response, the need to do more remains. In a press statement, the body said that it is time the Government considers a comprehensive social and economic package from which all Guyanese benefits.
This is a call the trade union body has been consistently making.
FITUG acknowledged the Government’s response in relation to hampers being distributed to needy citizens but questioned the criteria for determining who needs it more than the other person. In this regard, the Union suggested that a sustainable distribution network be created with all Guyanese benefitting unless they refuse the assistance. They also called on persons in a position to assist the initiative, to do so.
Speaking to the point of the comprehensive social and economic package, FITUG identified some key areas which the Government should look at since apart from feeding themselves, Guyanese have other obligations which COVID-19 may hinder them from meeting.
FITUG posited “That no worker suffers any loss of pay. We urge the Government to lead by example and to work together with private employers to ensure that their employees do not unduly suffer; to approve direct financial support to self-employed and the jobless to ensure they are able to sustain their obligations and maintain their families; a complete waiver of income and value-added taxes for at least six months to cushion the hike in the cost-of-living; a suspension of electricity, water, phone and internet tariffs for all households for the next six months.”
Additionally, FITUG said Government should work out arrangements with hire purchase, commercial banks and other lending institutions for a suspension of payments for six months and rescheduling of debt obligations of workers and for those unemployed to be afforded a write-off of their indebtedness.
The umbrella Union body also urged that masks, gloves and other necessities be distributed to all Guyanese.
They also called for citizens to be “exempted from duties and other fees and taxes of all items critical for our people’s wellbeing and to confront the COVID-19 virus; provision of appropriate and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as free transportation to all frontline workers, especially those in the hospitals who are providing yeoman service; ensure that workers’ rights are protected and safeguarded and that no worker is exploited during this period, and extension of the deadline for submission of income and other tax returns.”
FITUG reiterated its calls for wide-scale testing, starting with the most likely to be exposed. They noted that this is a means of getting a better handle of the situation resulting in the ability to overcome the crisis in a shorter period.
“This approach we are aware has been pursued elsewhere with great success and should be an essential component of our national response. We also urge too that the tests results be known to medical professionals as soon as they are available. This, we believe, will prevent a lag in treatment which could be critical in saving lives,” the body noted.
“At this time, it did not escape our attention that the lockdown comes as there was a decision to engage in a recount of the votes cast in the March 2, 2020 election. This is also a most pressing issue of our times. The FITUG contends that it should be concluded in short order for our country and people to move forward and for us to better address the COVID-19 issues that will linger on even after the health crisis is behind us. The uncertainty that prevails is unhelpful and a count that is credible and supervised by reputable individuals and organisations should be pursued without any further delay,” the statement added while urging all Guyanese to take adequate precautions and heed the advice of medical experts.