| …as GTUC Triennial Conference gets underwayIn citing that Trade Unions are perhaps becoming a thing of the past, Chairman of Region 10, Sharma Solomon last evening urged that trade unions make themselves relevant.He was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the 4th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) which, under the theme ‘Empowering Citizens for Societal Development,’ will conclude on Thursday (October 31) with the election and installation of officers for the period 2013- 2016.Referring to a ‘Peeping Tom’ column filed in a May 2013 edition of the Kaieteur News, titled ‘The Trade Union Movement is on the Decline’ Solomon said that this only serves to underscore the fact that for many Guyanese workers, particularly the young, labour unions are a thing of the past.It was to this end that he pointed out that it is not that labour unions are not needed, but “it is that our unions are not making their presence felt.”He added that “in order for our unions to begin to empower Guyana’s workers, they must first empower themselves…each other, and thus show their strength…collectively,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, for in union there is strength.”In identifying what he believes is the fundamental problem, Solomon said that the average working person does not have much power and input into the economic processes which determine the size of their paychecks.He told the small audience at the Critchlow Labour College that only Economic Democracy would change this, as the concept hinges on empowerment of working people.“Economic democracy means the working people gaining control over the economy at all levels and ensuring that economic processes serve their best interests,Cheap Arizona Cardinals Jerseys, rather than the interests of a wealthy minority,” Solomon explained.He added that more specifically, economic democracy operates at two main levels,Cheap China Jerseys, with the first being at the micro or company level, where workers gain greater control of the workplace and participate in management.He said that the second would be at the macro or societal level,Cheap Atlanta Falcons Jerseys, where working people as citizens democratically allocate resources to achieve social goals.“(For example supporting specific industries, helping depressed communities, promoting, environmentally-safe practices) and also vetting investment decisions through region-level investment councils.”Solomon posited that “without strong unions, it would be difficult,Cheap NFL Authentic Jerseys, if not impossible to build a more democratic economy,Asics Dynaflyte 2 Mens, but surely unions can become stronger if they take up the cause of economic democracy.”He believes that in so doing, labour unions will not only carry on the great tradition of defending and expanding workers’ rights, but would also gain a new purpose, one aimed at the transformation of the economy and its power structure.Additionally, Solomon maintains that in empowering citizens for societal development, the labour unions and workers cannot work in isolation, and therefore all stakeholders – workers, unions, employers, and Government, must sign a pact…”one which reflects an understanding of the constitutional rights of workers and promotes a harmonious working environment.”Solomon further noted that this pact must reflect a respect for the rights of workers, including the right to sign with a union of his/her choice, emphasizing that there must be a commitment on the part of Government to put Guyana and Guyanese first when welcoming foreign direct investment, especially as it relates to insisting that these companies observe international best practices.In closing, the Region 10 Chairman wished the participants of the congress a productive discourse. |
