President David Granger’s commitment to adhere to the Constitution has been lauded by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), with the body saying yesterday that “adherence to the Constitution [is]…an essential element of democratic governance and the maintenance of public trust.”
The President’s utterance was detailed in a statement issued yesterday by GTUC. The statement, which prefaced government’s stated respect for Article 155 (1) (a) that bars dual citizens from being elected to the National Assembly and upheld by the High and Appeal Courts, is a step in the right direction, “the GTUC has noted.
As such the union body said that it is encouraged that the Coalition has placed on record that it “is committed to upholding the Constitution unreservedly” and therefore expect full compliance since this is critical to good governance, social cohesion, and national peace.
In his statement issued yesterday, President Granger also announced the latest reshuffling of his government. Of immediate interest in the new appointments, GTUC said, is that of the Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency.
“GTUC wishes Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley well and holds expectation that while she may bring to the table youth, newness, and fresh ideas. She also brings association of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), and trust that this will be represented in a working-class focus,” it was underscored.
The minister, the GTUC continued, has the opportunity to create a harmonious working climate which is essential in this sector which turns the wheel of government. As the WPA’s representative, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the Coalition Government, GTUC is convinced that she can best uphold the party and the working-class ideology of co-leader Dr. Walter Rodney.
“With the developmental trust of oil and gas and a green economy, government needs a stable industrial environment. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), that represents workers in the Public Sector, has been marginalised under successive PPP governments since 1999 and this state of industrial unease is yet to be corrected under the Coalition. This young newcomer has the opportunity to create a more harmonious environment for her government labour relations and is called on to place industrial harmony high on her agenda given the significance of this to government performance,” GTUC added.
