The Guyana Trades Union Congress’ position on the Linden Commission of Inquiry

Submitted by Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

Consistent with the Terms of Reference the Report by the Linden Commission of Inquiry is an achievement for all Guyana – see Linden Commission of Inquiry Report. This report exposes the underbelly of the beast seeking to consume law and order in the society and rob the people of the needed security and protection to peacefully co-exist and go about their daily business. A report that says: 1) “the police were responsible for the shooting to death of the three persons as well as the injuries caused to several other persons at Linden on July 18, 2012;” 2) “an examination of the relevant evidence reveals that ASP Todd and Constable Rodney were the only police ranks who discharged shots from shotguns;” 3) ‘00’ buckshot cartridges were used on the unarmed demonstrators and the “use of the ‘00’ in the circumstances would not have been reasonable but would constitute excessive force;” 4) “The use of such lethal force was not justified in the circumstances.” 5) “Even though Mr. Todd using the ‘shotgun…discharged a round into the ground to take off the velocity, to scare and chase the protesters who were gathered’ this was fraught with danger. Discharging a shotgun is hardly the way to ‘scare’ persons and ought never to have been used in the circumstances;”

6) “the policy on the use of force should be reviewed and done urgently.[…] in order to adopt international best practices;” 7) “entries in the [Arms Book] cannot be relied on as there were numerous irregularities evident therein;” 8) “it must be noted that the Chairman of the Complaints Authority has made several requests for independent investigators to be made available  to that body but to no avail;  9) “Some of the procedures for engagement of the police before carrying out operations appear to be very militaristic and aspects of their standard operational procedures support that position;” and 10) “recommend the government  urgently implements the ‘Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police’ as developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,” is not a report to be treated with disdain or disregard.

Need to Ensure Consensus Candidate For Speaker Of Guyana’s National Assembly

By Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

GTUC calls on combined opposition to eschew personalities and embrace acceptable principles in arriving at consensus candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly

On November 28 Guyanese went to the polls and voted to change the way business is conducted in this country. The majority have reposed their confidence in the opposition for the beginning of a new political culture towards the creation of a just society and this opportunity to make a difference must not be squandered.

The GTUC having followed the public discourse in arriving at an appropriate person to support for the Speakership has recognized the opposition departure from fundamental principles to create cohesiveness in arriving at a consensus candidate. The nation is seeing a rallying around personalities rather than principles agreed upon by the parties and this stands the chance of derailing the entire process.

Based on the plurality of the opposition seats in parliament, it is expected that the Speaker of the House would be an opposition consensus candidate who can rise above the partisan flair to put Guyana first. Therefore, it is imperative that this first act of opposition collaboration be successful and amicably resolved without public rancour, or fanning of each group’s sentiments to create animosity; for even as this is done it gives other forces an avenue to fan the flames of mistrust and capitalize on the animosity being created.

Guyana General Election 2011 – The Dawn Of A New Era

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress - Guyana Trades Union Congress Press Statement November 24, 2011

November 28^th must be the dawn of a new era. This nation has suffered too much and the people severely deprived for us to continue business as usual. It is time to rebuild our society on the foundation that holds all, bar none, accountable to upholding rights and laws which are essential ingredients to peaceful co-existence, holistic development, and maintaining the sovereignty of our nation state.

The GTUC does not support the call to have November 28^th (election day) declared a national holiday. The culture in this society is one where whenever there is a public holiday public transportation draws to a halt. A sizeable portion of this society depends on public transportation to get to the polls and to encourage or make November 28^th a holiday would be another attempt to subvert the right of citizens to cast their ballot. The issue of voting is a right in contrast to governance which is a privilege and this right must be zealously protected and let the process start now. Every one needs to vote and be allowed the unhindered opportunity to vote to elect the person(s) to advance their interests and protect their gains. To vote is to bring benefit to your livelihood, community and country. To not vote is to give away your right in determining who manage your affairs and in so doing you have also given away your right to speak about the shortcomings and abuses of those who are foisted on you, since voting is a right and everyone needs to protect this right by turning out in their numbers on the date and within the stipulated time to cast their ballot in determining their future. It is also the first step in participating in decision making as it relates to self and community and must be taken seriously.

The responsibility of law and order in this society, and more so internal security, is vested in the Guyana Police Force and any attempt during the election period by the Private Sector to get involved in any aspect of the police operation is interference in the work of those vested with the legitimate responsibility for law and order. For we take note of their offer to the police of transportation and whatever else is needed, but while this sounds good, most important to us must be, “is it right?” This nation must evolve from accepting what sounds nice to embracing what is right.

Media Threat Intensified By PPP Administration

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress - Press Release

In the wake of an attack on the media by President Jagdeo and the recent threat by Gail Texiera of reporting certain media houses to the United Nations, GTUC urges government to go right ahead without delay. We are assured that the blanket control and domination of state media, restriction of broadcast licenses, suppression and intimidation of independent media, economic destruction of the media by targeting of advertisers to deny media freedom, use of the media as a wedge to divide society and create ethnic tensions and violence as well as disseminate PPP propaganda, will make for interesting analysis before an independent arbiter of the United Nations. Additionally the consequence of fear of expression forces media self censorship  in order to survive ;job losses and increased prices also result as media houses increase prices to offset advertisement suppression would make for interesting disclosures. These too relate to efforts and consequences of media suppression that the UN would be interested in.

GTUC has a direct interest in media freedom as this is foundational to free, fair, transparent and credible elections and forging a society where the rule of law and good governance can prevail. It is the media’s role as a pillar of democracy to protect the rights of every citizen and where necessary expose those who violate the laws of the land and the rights of others. The PPP government clearly does not desire that their activities be exposed for they would prefer that Guyanese live in ignorance of their misdeeds and corruption, their lies, nepotism and their criminal associations such as Roger Khan.

GTUC Calls On Opposition Parties Not To Participate In Elections

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress - Press Release

From the outset GTUC sees this issue bigger than the ego of any politician. It is about the people, the children, and generations to come, and no quick fix can be applied to this with the intention of rushing into an election with the expectation of entering parliament to serve any one’s self satisfaction. Conscious of this human short coming the PPP has used this as the carrot to divide the politicians at the expense of the citizens and nation and it is time the people’s interests be put before any self serving interest.

The PPP government has consistently used state media and other machinations to create for themselves an unfair advantage and to make it difficult for contesting parties in national and regional elections. The suspension of CNS television station at elections time is a calculated and deliberate act by the Jagdeo/Ramotar partnership to deny the citizens of this country an opportunity to access the views of all contending parties. This act is a denial of the right of citizens to access information pertaining to their wellbeing and the future of Guyana and to enable them in making the best possible choice of which party or candidate will form the government.

In a country that talks of democracy and in an era where people the world over recognize that democratic reforms are fundamental for peace and stability the PPP must not undermine the democratic will of the people by denying them a fundamental tenet of democracy which is free and accessible media. Guyanese citizens must not accept the denial of a fundamental element of free, fair and credible elections. To do so is to accept the denial of your right to be heard and your right to information that is empowering and liberating.

President Jagdeo’s Suspension Of CNS 6 Abuse Of Power And Violation Of Rights

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

The decision by President Jagdeo to suspend Mr. Sharma’s CNS 6 comes as no surprise to the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC). We were reliably informed some months back that a decision was taken within the political hierarchy to silence this station in the run up to elections to contain its exposure of injustices and prevent the opposition from getting their messages out. Mr. Anthony Vieira’s May 4th commentary was an excuse, not the cause for Jagdeo’s decision, which is the most vicious form of Machiavellian politics of the end justifying the means.

The charge brought against Mr. Sharma and the guilt pronounced by President Jagdeo is a flagrant disregard for the course of justice for it is still to be proven by the court of this land that Mr. Vieira’s statement constitute libel and in the instance where such is considered bad taste to President Jagdeo he must know that in this diverse society this is not a yard stick for his action. The question therefore remains: ‘has it been established that a crime was committed and does the punishment fit the crime?’

It is no accident President Jagdeo made himself Minister of Information. For he thinks he has immunity to violate the sacred right to freedom of expression by abusing Article 182 Constitution which grants the president protection from civil and criminal prosecution for acts committed during the stewardship in office when in fact he is violating his Oath of Office to serve the people, respect their rights and uphold the law without fear, favour or ill will. The PPP must hear from us for. They must be held accountable. They must know enough is enough.

RUSAL General Manager Threatens Workers With Physical Violence

Submitted by Guyana Bauxite General Workers Union

Workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) have lodged a complaint with the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) that on Sunday May 8^th the company’s General Manager, Mr. Ruslan Volokhov, carrying a spade in his hand threatened to bash their heads and faces then bury them. This threat was made to the workers when they were in the company’s bus at the camp site. On investigating the matter the workers advised that the threat was sparked from their inability to attend work on time on May 8^th since there was no water to shower because the pump at the site was cut off, due to some problem, and supply did not return until approximately 9:00 a.m. on Sunday 8^th May. The fact that the company failed to ensure there was water supply, from the afternoon of Saturday 7^th May to approx. 9:00 a.m. on Sunday 8^th May, for workers to adhere to personal hygiene was of no concern to this general manager.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress is very disturbed by this new development and threat to the workers of this country. This is not plantation slavery for the general manager to dare to think he can come to this sovereign country to violate workers like this. For him being given the courtesy to come and exploit our natural resources and to dare to think the exploitation of our natural resources is equal to the exploitation of our manpower and laws, and the violations of the citizens’ rights and dignity we find totally unacceptable. We call on BCGI to sanction his actions, and call on the Government of Guyana to sanction BCGI to protect the rights of Guyanese labour.

The Russians are taking their cues from government’s actions and inactions and their violation of the rights of bauxite workers by giving tacit support to BCGI lawlessness and disrespect for local and international laws, declarations and conventions which bind labour relations. The refusal of the Minister of Labour to enforce the Labour Laws on this company is exacerbating the situation.

Guyana Trades Union Congress writes President Jagdeo on UN Int’l Year for People of African Descent

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

The United Nations dedicates 2011  The International Year For People of African Descent. The Guyana Trades Union Congress on January 17 wrote President Jagdeo to the effect demanding 25 items be addressed to make the year a meaningful one to eliminate racism to persons of African Descent. Other than an acknowledgement of receipt of said letter from the Office of the President, President Jagdeo has not communicated to the Congress, or made any efforts to address the concerns. Consequently, your support and solidarity is being sought to publish the attached letter to inform the Caribbean Community of efforts made by the Congress to eliminate African racism in Guyana and the deepening contempt the Jagdeo administration demonstrates to African Guyanese and their rights.

GTUC Calls On President Jagdeo To Address Matters Affecting The African Community As Nation Marks ‘International Year for People of African Descent’

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

The Guyana Trades Union Congress in recognition of the United Nations International Year for People of African Descent this today delivered a letter to President Bharat Jagdeo, signed by Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary. The letter outlines 25 issues that are deserving of his administration urgent attention and which continue to negatively impact on the African community by virtue of the government’s action or inaction. The Congress embraces the view and aspiration of UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonovic, that “The International Year must become a milestone in the ongoing campaign to advance the rights of people of African descent and it deserves to be accompanied by activities that fire the imagination, enhance our understanding of the situation of people of African descent and are a catalyst for real and positive change in the daily lives of the millions of Afro-descendents around the world.”

This is not a year for fun and frolicking; it is a year for seriousness and achievements!

According to the UN Release, “the General Assembly proclaimed the Year in December 2009 in a resolution citing the need to strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation to ensure that people of African descent fully enjoy economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, to advance their integration into all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.”