The government should raise the income tax threshold higher for the sake of lower paid workers, says General President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand.
Chand was at the time addressing a rally on Sunday at Enmore to commemorate the 55th anniversary observance of Enmore Martyrs Day. Also at the rally were President Bharrat Jagdeo, members of the trade union movement, Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green and members of the diplomatic corps. Five sugar workers Lallabagi, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookie and Harry were killed during a strike in 1948.
Chand said his union was still not satisfied that the government was being as generous as it should be in assisting lower-paid workers to take home more pay.
“Yes, we agree that a small step was taken in this year’s budget, but we call on the Minister of Finance to fulfil his commitment.” Chand also called on the Finance Minister to spread the tax net to ensure that the self-employed paid their rightful share, thus lessening the heavy burden on the ordinary workers.
Chand had tough words on the crime situation declaring that everyone should be reminded, especially those he called the blinkered or guilt-laden few who refused to recognise the fact that the monster created was now wreaking havoc across all lines.
“Never must we relinquish our birthright to any criminals’ masters, whether the organised crime be carried out by petty thieves, kidnappers, carjackers, terrorists or narcotic traffickers. Guyana belongs to the good, the honest and the hardworking.”
As for labour matters, Chand said GAWU had been warning workers of the negative effects on small economies of globalisation.
On the issue of the sugar levy lifted last year by the government, Chand said GAWU would like to think that the union’s consistency in calling for the removal of the tax on the sugar industry in place since 1974 had been successful. He said the steps to construct a modern sugar factory at Skeldon and other initiatives were most welcome.
He charged the workers to work tirelessly to stave off the closure of the Demerara estates, noting that thousands of workers, cane farmers and businesses which flourished from the spending power of workers would suffer.
“Our union will fight to save the Demerara estates and not capitulate to the calls of the financial institutions.”
And Chand welcomed remarks made by Guysuco chairman Vic Oditt, whom he quoted as saying, “We do not intend to close any part of Guysuco.”
Chand joined with Chief Executive Officer of Guysuco, Michael Boast in calling for more productivity. He said at the recent wage arbitration proceedings, his union had argued vigorously that workers’ awards should be based on productivity and production and not on profitability. He added that the workers should not suffer or be penalised because of their employer’s shortcomings, poor management or wasteful extravagances. “We will strive to produce more, our advocate before the tribunal argued that workers do not participate in management’s decision-making and they should not be held responsible for bad management which affected profitability”.
Chand told the gathering that his union had no intention of “kill(ing) the goose” and acknowledged that Guysuco’s employment costs were now 55% of overall expenses.