Govt committed to working with all stakeholders to uplift workers – Pres Ali tells Union leaders

…calls for a unified labour force to advance workers’ rights

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who on Monday hosted a Labour Day breakfast meeting with leaders of trade unions in Guyana, has reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to working with stakeholders for the upliftment of workers in a holistic manner.

During the breakfast meeting, a diverse collection of leaders from a number of labour unions were brought together. These included the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).
Also present during the meeting were leaders of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), as well as the National Association of Clerical, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NACCIE).
The President was accompanied by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag; and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

During the meeting, the President reiterated his Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to achieve the holistic upliftment of workers. According to the President, in advancing any cause, all stakeholders should unify around the common agenda of the good of the country.
“President Ali reiterated his Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to achieve the holistic upliftment of workers. He pointed to the significance of the engagement and the ensuing discussions and spoke of the relevance of the day and the importance of workers’ rights. Dr Ali emphasised that in advancing any cause, all stakeholders should unify around one common agenda, which is Guyana,” a statement from the Office of the President said.
With Guyana presently on an irreversible trajectory towards greater progress and prosperity, President Ali had said in his Labour Day message that workers are pivotal to the success of this process. He stressed that without their brain and brawn, skill and steadfastness and creativity and craftsmanship, the economic and social transformation will stall.
“I assure all the workers of Guyana that not only will they benefit significantly from the country’s economic and social transformation but they will be one of the principal forces driving this process. My Government’s developmental philosophy emphasises a people-centred approach to development. The welfare of people, and particularly our workers, is at the centre of efforts to establish shared national prosperity,” he said.
The President had further noted that working class families are being provided with greater opportunities under his Government in areas such as housing, academic and skills development, job creation, enhanced infrastructure, and improved healthcare services, among others.
The President had also pointed to the need for a “new compact” between labour and the Government as well as between the labour movement and its members. To this end, President Ali declared that he is prepared to be part of fashioning a new era of relations between the Government, the labour movement and the private sector – one in which everyone joins forces to work for the advancement of workers rather than work against each other.
“I remain open through a tripartite dialogue between labour, the private sector and the Government. May Day reminds us of the legacies of workers. The legacy can only be preserved through greater collaboration and cooperation. Let us, therefore, urge a new era of relations bereft of risks and disgorgement. Let us establish platforms of cooperation, predicated on respect and civility and characterised by cooperation
“Let us work together to end exploitation, eradicate child labour, improve workers’ safety, ensure social protections, address labour shortages and ensure greater competitiveness and efficiency, all of which are vital to long-term and sustainable growth and development,” the Guyanese leader stated.