Govt votes against re-establishment of Labour Ministry

– despite Opposition’s fierce arguments in support of having one

Despite the Opposition putting up a fierce debate in Parliament on Thursday, listing several reasons why the coalition Government should support the call for the re-establishment of a Labour Ministry, the Government used its majority in the National Assembly to vote against the motion.
Former trade unionist and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Gillian Burton-Persaud opened the debate with some solid arguments, referring to cases where the Government has shown less than favourable treatment to workers and their unions since its assumption to office.
The MP established that having a Labour Ministry in place is nothing extraordinary, as there have been these ministries created by past Governments before to address industrial relations issues. She believes that if the Government is really serious about addressing workers’ issues, then a Labour Ministry should be re-established.
Burton-Persaud pointed out that not only did the Government remove the Ministry and replace it with a Department, but a Junior Minister of Government in Minister Keith Scott has been appointed to head the Labour Department.
“Such a development could be seen as a slap in the face of trade union leaders and the workers of Guyana, including all of us here in this honorable house. If we pay attention to, or understand the functions of, labour, we (would) learn to appreciate its major importance in any society,” she added.
She also claimed this development has also eroded the legacy of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and explained that labour always stood separate and apart from other ministries. The fact that it was not thought necessary to establish a Ministry of Labour is enough reason to presume that workers’ interests are not at the heart of this administration.
The former trade union leader also chastised the APNU+AFC Administration for not treating workers fairly, referring to the laying off of hundreds of sugar workers and Amerindians.
Another Opposition MP, Komal Chand, chastised the Government and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, who holds responsibility for labour. He said Government’s excuse that it cannot afford to establish such a ministry is nothing more than a lie, especially since it has a large bureaucracy.
The motion which was submitted in Burton-Persaud’s name cites that on May 1, 2018 at a joint rally of the GTUC and the FITUG, calls were made for the motion to be laid in the House calling for the Ministry’s re-establishment.
The call for the re-establishment of a Labour Ministry was supported by General Secretary of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Lincoln Lewis. He had requested of Burton-Persaud and her party to table a motion in the National Assembly seeking re-establishment of the Ministry.
“Labour is prepared to work with you to bring this to fruition, and hopes you take this commitment in the spirit of solidarity. Labour also holds out optimism that Minister (Basil) Williams would be able to use his experience in impressing on his Administration the wisdom of having a Ministry of Labour, and the benefit of treating labour as a social partner consistent with Article 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution.”
Lewis argued that with the absence of that Ministry, not only does it signal the value Government places on a country’s most valued resource, but also communicates to allies and foes of Guyana that Guyanese are not considered pivotal to the country’s development. He said this was also reinforced with the country’s non-attendance at the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) conferences for the past three years.
“Where we know better and different, we must continue to act accordingly; for development of society requires of us staying the course. Employment remains a sore issue. Too many are unemployed (and) under-employed; and the retired, who need to be productively engaged, are (also) being deprived. We note the statistics of the Guyana Labour Force Survey,” the outspoken trade union leader added.
Importantly, while Lewis said that the effort of gathering scientific data is commendable, he said it must make real the science through action. “Meaning must be given to data being collected beyond collection and making findings public.” As such, he said Guyana needs a policy for the creation of decent jobs.
Trade unions have long argued that the minister needs to advise the Government better as it relates to its adherence to the Collective Bargaining Process, negotiations and workers’ rights.