President assures nurses of major improvements to livelihood

President Irfaan Ali has assured nurses and other healthcare workers that there will be major improvements to their livelihood under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.
“I want to assure the nurses that, within our five-year term, they will see a monumental improvement not only in their salaries and benefits, but in their overall livelihood and in their overall quality of life. We’re here just over 65 days, and we have a five-year agenda,” the Head of State declared during an interview on Wednesday with local journalist Gordon Moseley.
Over the past week, nurses and other healthcare workers on the frontline of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic have been protesting, calling for increased risk allowance. The nurses, specifically from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), have been led by several A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change members and Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) officials in their protests in recent days.
President Ali on Wednesday said the issue has to be looked at in a holistic manner in relation to the current state of the country’s economy. He noted that frontline workers are not only benefiting from the $150 million that was set aside in the 2020 Emergency Budget but also other measures aimed at relieving the burden of every Guyanese, such as the $25,000 cash grant and the removal of VAT on electricity and water, among others.
Nevertheless, the Head of State explained that there are some specific commitments that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic made in its manifesto regarding nurses and healthcare workers among all other categories of workers, and the PPPC will work to ensure these are fulfilled during its tenure.
In fact, he noted that the issue of wages and salaries is currently being considered in preparations for Budget 2021.
“Whilst we know (the nurses) are operating in the COVID environment – just like every other frontline worker – and there is greater risk, and we appreciate that, we have to work within the confines of the economy. I want to assure the nurses that this Government is committed towards ensuring our promises and commitment to them over the five-year period is realised. I can assure them that their lives and their families’ lives are gonna improve tremendously,” President Ali promised.

Understanding context
He however contended that the nurses have to understand the context under which the Government is operating, in that it has to act in accordance with affordability based on immediate, medium- and long-term needs and revenue streams.
He said the workers have to be fair, and cannot continue to flout the law.
“We cannot deny that the workers are doing a tremendous job… but how do you deal with essential workers like the nurses breaching the law and operation outside of the law? These laws and guidelines are there not for fashion, but because it is recognised that certain services are essential to the public good, and essential to maintaining life,” the President assured.
Essential Services Arbitration Act Chapter 54:01 provides a procedure for the settlement of disputes in public utility and certain services, and prohibits strikes and lockouts in such undertakings and services.
Against this backdrop, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since written to the GPSU, indicating that the protest actions are illegal and unlawful, and cautioned that persons engaged in acts contrary to these provisions commit a criminal offence and are liable on summary conviction to a fine, or imprisonment.
President Ali on Wednesday defended the utterances of AG Nandlall, dismissing claims that it was a threat, and noted he was merely reminding of the law.
“They were in breach of the law, and we were reminding them that they were in breach of the law, and they continue to be in breach of the law. So, the Attorney General had a legal responsibility of reminding them of what the law says. And you may turn the question around: Is it the right time for our frontline workers to breach the law and to come out and protest in the middle of the pandemic, when they know that their services are not only essential but vital to the existence of the people?” the Head of State asked.
In the meantime, Government is currently engaging the GPSU in talks to address the issues of the nurses. On Wednesday, the union indicated that it will call off the planned strike action and give the Government two weeks to address the issue.
This move has been lauded by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony as a “mature step”.
“I am really happy that decision was made, and that we will work to resolve whatever issues come up; and we can do that in a very cordial way, because all of us want the best for our healthcare workers, and we have to work together to improve the system,” Minister Anthony said during an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. (G8)