By Roysdale Forde SC. M.P- In recent times, the government has resorted to a familiar tactic: raising false alarms about unions being ‘hijacked’ by the opposition (Unions, associations being ‘hijacked’ by the opposition/ Guyana Chronicle/May 10, 2024).
This strategy, intended to sow seeds of distrust and division, conveniently deflects attention from the government’s own interference in union affairs, particularly its not- so- hidden role in the Sugar Workers Union (GAWU). It is time to call out this hypocrisy and recognise the political maneuvering at play. The government’s claims of union ‘hijacking’ are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to undermine legitimate dissent and stifle opposition voices.
By painting unions and certain associations as pawns of the opposition, the government desperately seeks to discredit their grievances and maintain its grip on power. However,, such tactics only serve to erode trust in democratic institutions and infringe upon the rights of workers to organize and advocate for their interests.
Nowhere is this hypocrisy more glaring than in the government’s treatment of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). Despite its professed commitment to union independence, the government’s interference in GAWU’s affairs has been well- documented.
From meddling in leadership elections to undermining bargaining efforts, the government has sought to undermine GAWU’s autonomy and suppress dissent within the sugar industry. Many have argued that the incumbent provides support and resources to certain unions that are aligned with its political interests while marginalizing or neglecting other unions that may be critical of its policies. This can distort the democratic process with unions and reinforce political divisions.
Again, the government’s actions to deny teachers their right to collective bargaining and fair wages are not just bureaucratic decisions; they are inherently political. So, what is the government talking about when it tries to give the impression that actions taken by the unions are political? By refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations with the teachers’ union, the government is effectively silencing voices of dissent and perpetuating a system of inequality. It is a blatant disregard for the rights of workers and a betrayal of the basic principles of democracy.
At its very core, the government’s false alarms and denial of collective bargaining rights are symptoms of a wider pattern of authoritarianism and political repression. By weaponising unions for political gain and suppressing dissenting voices, the government undermines main pillars of democracy and perpetuates a culture of fear and intimidation.