The case between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education enjoined by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) continued yesterday before Justice Sandil Kissoon with Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain on the stand and being interrogated by the GTU and GTUC lawyers Darren Wade and Roysdale Forde S.C.
During the process, the lawyers focus on the issue of engagement between the parties, GTU and the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Education in the person of Saddam Hussain was asked to provide evidence as to the hardline allowances that the Ministry has increased and is being paid to teachers. He informed the court that there are no records in the Ministry’s possession because the allowances are being paid by the region and as such they do not have written evidence of same.
In addressing the issue of the uniform allowance by the Ministry, Saddam Hussain informed the court that the payments made are consistent with the GTU and the Ministry of Education’s agreement in 2018.
Hussain was further asked to provide to the court written evidence of meetings to discuss the proposals that were sent by the GTU to the Ministry of Education that addressed wages/salaries and working conditions. In response, he presented to the court agendas for meetings where the issue was listed but on further inquiry, the court was informed that while the issue was listed there was no written evidence that any negotiation had taken place on the areas proposed by the GTU. Saddam Hussain in response to the question asked by Roysdale Forde S.C, accepted that the Ministry of Education never gave a written counter-proposal to the GTU.
The day’s proceedings concluded making it clear that the Ministry of Education to date, did not provide to the court any written evidence that the parties were meeting to negotiate a new collective labour agreement for teachers employed in public schools. The matter continues at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.