Ahead of today’s Budget presentation…

FITUG boss urges Opposition to work with Govt. for the benefit of all

Written by Priya Nauth

Thursday, 29 March 2012 22:48

Source - Guyana Chronicle

PRESIDENT of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Mr. Carvil Duncan, said he expects to see, in the 2012 National Budget, developmental programmes which will benefit Guyanese. And he has called on the Opposition parties in Parliament to use this opportunity to work together with the government, for the benefit of the country.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, will today be presenting the National Budget for 2012 before the National Assembly.

In recent years, the Guyanese economy has achieved tremendous growth, with uninterrupted positive growth since 2006, with most sectors of the economy showing bright prospects for the future.

Minister Singh has said that the budget is built around a sustainable macroeconomic framework and assured that it is about “meeting the needs of the Guyanese people and helping to create an environment where the aspirations of the Guyanese people can be realized”.

Duncan, also General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), speaking to the Guyana Chronicle about his expectations for the budget, said he is conscious that “we are operating in a very fragile system”.

“I am one of those who believe that the government should continue on its development path, notwithstanding the objections from the Opposition parties, and once they continue that way, then I expect to see in the budget developmental programmes which will benefit Guyanese,” he said.

He pointed to a higher income tax threshold and an increase in pensions for certain categories of persons, and touching on an increase in salaries, he pointed out that “one may argue that an increase in salary doesn’t necessarily have to be in the budget, but can come as a pronouncement from the Government.

“But I think, what we need to look at also, is that Guyana is unique, because of the government’s present policy which involves job creation in many of the sectors, training for some underprivileged persons and a constant growth in the economy which put us better off than many of our Caribbean colleagues,” he said.

Taking into consideration that in the world at large workers are losing their jobs, he also pointed out that on some occasions, they are called upon to reduce their present earnings in order to remain employed.

“In Guyana, it’s in the reverse. Persons are maintaining their jobs and they are getting increases in their salary; and at the same time, there is stability in the economy and as a person from the trade union movement, I think the government needs to be applauded for what it has been doing,” he lauded.

However, he pointed out, “…that doesn’t say that they (the government) need not to do more. And I would therefore call upon the opposition parties that this is a unique time for them to start concentrating on working together with the government for the benefit of the country.”

“We cannot afford to go backwards, we must now be thinking about going forward, and this upcoming budget will give us that opportunity; and let us not use it for political gains at the detriment of the citizens and the workers, because, in the final analysis, it is the workers who make up the core of many of the political parties membership, and it is the workers who will decide who will be elected or not,” he said.

He continued, “So the workers have a voice and the workers are looking with their eyes open as to what will be the debate coming out of the budget, but we are also anxious to see what will come out of the budget that will benefit the workers”.

In terms of consultations with stakeholders for the budget, the FITUG President said, “From a trade union perspective, we have always been in consultation with the government.”

He said the trade unions are invited to every forum the government has, and he also made reference to the National Competitiveness Council “which deals with streamlining opportunities and development”.

“I am a member of that Council, and we are having meetings at different forums, and we are free, as trade unionists, to call and meet with any minister of the government to deal with issues concerning the workers,” Duncan pointed out.

The FITUG President underscored, “…because we realise that working together is the only alternative available.”

“And we need to send a positive message to all concerned, because the business sector is looking to see whether they should continue to invest or whether they should pack up and leave, even though we have an economy that is flourishing, and the other parties must behave in a positive way so that the economy can continue to flourish,” he insisted.

“Let us think as Guyanese and put Guyana first, other than think as individuals,” the Trade Union Leader urged.