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| – GTUC PresidentThe tabling of the Trade Union Recognition Act Amendment Bill in Parliament last Thursday was described as a very clandestine move by the administration of the day, by President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Gillian Burton, yesterday.Burton was at the time addressing a press conference at the GTUC’s Woolford Avenue headquarters.She said that that it is evident that the Bill is intended to cause instability within the trade union movement.“(A similar) Bill of 1996 primarily named the principal administrative body of Labour as the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board. What we have found is that in that amendment to the Bill, it specifically targets the GTUC which is the national umbrella body. It is an attempt to sustain the division within the trade union movement and it is the genesis of the end of industrial democracy and trade union rights.”According to Burton, the Amendment of the Bill will in fact seek to remove the power of the labour movement and place it solely into the hands of the Minister of Labour.For this reason, Burton said that the GTUC is very concerned about the way the Bill is being tabled in Parliament.She categorically articulated that the Bill is being tabled at a time when the administration is fully aware that Guyanese workers and the populace as a whole have their attention focused on the festive season.“Very little attention is paid at this point in time to certain issues but the GTUC is always watchful. So when that Bill was tabled we found it necessary not only to signal our concern but also to let the workers of Guyana know that there is another attempt to transgress their rights.”According to Burton, the Bill is very serious and has implications for workers even as she stressed the GTUC’s concern that the administration is seeking to continue a campaign to maintain the division within the trade union movement.“The administration is seeking to hijack the powers from the GTUC and place it into the hands of those who are sympathetic and supportive of that administration…We are saying that as the GTUC we are the internationally and the nationally recognised body in this country.”According to Burton, the International Labour Organisation recognises only the GTUC and therefore the GTUC will not spare any attempts to maintain its leadership role.She said that the GTUC has instructed its constituencies to be watchful and to remain focused throughout the season.“Especially as the New Year is about to dawn upon us, let us embrace the legacy of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and ensure that at no time our rights are transgressed and our democracy is removed from us.”Additionally, Burton revealed that the GTUC will use all avenues available nationally and internationally to lobby its concern.The People’s National Congress Reform has also raised concern about the nature of the Bill, which was up for debate and possibly passage on Monday.According to Shadow Labour Minister, Attorney-at-law Basil Williams,Jerseys NFL Wholesale China, the Bill has the potential to undermine the GTUC.According to Williams, the legislation closely resembles a previous Bill that was tabled by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in 2006 and was pulled from the House after being lambasted for its consequences.Williams said that this time around the only thing that was different was the language, and was intended to remove the GTUC from the Trade Union’s Representation Certification Process.He added also that the legislation will marginalize and destroy small unions whilst destroying the aspirations of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow for a single National Association of Trade Unions.Gillian Burton |
