| President of the Guyana Public Service Union, (GPSU), Patrick Yarde, has noted the need for adequate enforcement of legislation essential to facilitating collective bargaining between Union representatives and the Government. Yarde was recalled to the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the Public Service on Tuesday.GPSU President,Patrick YardeDuring the follow up presentation, the Union head underscored that this point is vital to the reformation of the public service.He noted that the lack of adequate enforcement has resulted in unresolved industrial action dating back to some 50 years. The GPSU head provided the Commission with evidence in support of his submissions.During his submission, Yarde noted that there are countless occasions when promises made to public servants go unfulfilled. He asserted that as a result there was a price to pay; there has been a price to pay.“We are left with a broken and disillusioned Public Service that is less than properly equipped to deliver what the nation needs.”Alluding to the numerous incidents of unfulfilled promises to civil service workers, the GPSU leader said that the current administration must therefore,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, show sufficient consideration and respect for public service employees.“I am of the view that sufficient regard and respect is not shown for the intelligence of workers in the Public Service. In fact I believe that (the workers) are taken for granted and that, in itself, will have its consequences if not corrected as a matter of urgency.”“What we seek is a nation whose service values are rooted in integrity and efficiency; a nation, the quality of whose service speaks of high standards; a nation, Mr. Chairman, whose service culture is not disfigured by corruption, dishonesty and mendicancy.”Speaking on the issue of contract employment, in the public sector, the witness noted that parallel Public Service erodes the legitimacy of the sector.He explained that with the existence of such, the sector is contrived with political motives and the appointment of employees on contracts with enormously higher salaries than traditional workers.Yarde submitted, “The public service must be wiped clean of any form of political influence.” Commenting on the issue of collective bargaining agreement, the GPSU leader underlined difficulties encountered with the past administration.Yarde supplied the Commission with a number of cases in which the previous administration had failed or refused to honour their obligation to agreements following negotiation for increases in salaries for workers, among other issues.He stressed that the lack of authority to enforce the right for arbitration has been the main contributing factor to this problem.Questioned further about the issue, Yarde called for the empowerment and autonomy of the industrial relation machinery; the Ministry of Labour included. Yarde noted however that the Labour Ministry is a precarious position, given that the Head of that agency is a member of the cabinet/government, causing a conflict of interest.Nonetheless, the Union Head expressed called for an independent Labour Ministry and a Chief Labour Officer that is obligated to the law.He underscored the need for an independent tribunal to deal with matters of industrial relations. This, he believes will result in good governance and improved working relations within the public sector.The COI was established to inquire into, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration, conditions and other matters pertaining to the personnel employed in the Guyana Public Service.The exercise is expected to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the public service, to review the methodology used in the classification and recruitment of public servants.The inquiry is also expected to conduct a detailed examination of how the salaries and wages of public servants are determined and allocated; review the age of public servant retirement and make recommendations in this regard. |
