| – calls on President Ramotar to intervene“…the involvement of Winston Brassington and the creation of Atlantic Hotels Incorporated to front this project raise searching questions that deserve answers.” – GTUCNICIL’s Winston BrassingtonFormer President, Bharrat JagdeoThe Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) says that it is deeply disturbed over reports that the Marriott Hotel is being constructed without Guyanese labour.“Guyana is a sovereign nation and governed by its own laws, among which include the citizens’ right to work and the protection of the people by the government. With Government charged foremost with ensuring the security of its people, which does not only attend to crime, but every aspect of the people’s lives as outlined in the Guyana Constitution and its attendant laws,Discount NFL Jerseys, the news of the non-employment needs to be met with the needed action of ensuring the nation’s laws are upheld and its people’s wellbeing protected,” GTUC said yesterday in a statement.The union body said that it is calling on President Donald Ramotar and his administration to immediately address the issue.“…And if the Executive fails to act, then the Legislature must act to ensure the sovereignty of this country is maintained and the security of its people guaranteed. The absence of Guyanese labour, in our country, when Guyanese are paying the bill, constitutes an attack on statehood and is a form re-colonisation, which must be rejected.”On Tuesday,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, this newspaper reported that neither the Chinese contractor, Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), nor the government is saying why.The government had boasted that the project, which is costing some US$60 million, would create hundreds of jobs; but months into construction, Kaieteur News saw no Guyanese workers at the site after repeated visits.The only Guyanese at the site was a man who identified himself as a consultant.Representatives of the Chinese company at the Kingston, Georgetown site are not being allowed to speak to Kaieteur News.When Kaieteur News contacted Michael Ziang, SCG’s Managing Director in Trinidad, he said that he could not answer any questions and directed this newspaper to AHI. Ziang said that he would offer an interview to Kaieteur News if the reporter flies to Trinidad; but even so, he would need the permission of AHI.Kaieteur News contacted Brassington and Dr Ashni Singh,Cheap NFL Jerseys, the Finance Minister,Cheap Jerseys China, for comments on the issue, but more than two weeks later, there has been no response.In late 2011, former President Bharrat Jagdeo officially turned the sod for the construction of the hotel with the promise, that the project will create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase, and beyond when it becomes operational.President Donald RamotarBrassington’s roleThe 160-room hotel and entertainment complex is expected by February 2014.According to GTUC yesterday, the reported promise of former President Bharrat Jagdeo to hire Guyanese labour ought not to be a promise but a commitment to the people since it is guaranteed with Article 22 of the Guyana Constitution, “The right and the duty to work”.“And this administration must be held accountable for obeying the Supreme Law of this nation-state.The government’s reported silence to questions posed by a Kaieteur News’ reporter is not an option because Government functions on behalf of the people and must answer to the people. Additionally,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, the involvement of Winston Brassington and the creation of Atlantic Hotels Incorporated to front this project raise searching questions which deserve answers.”The union said that it is convinced that the “ill advised project” will add more burden to the taxpayers and the spending of tens of millions of U.S dollars cannot, and must not be to the benefit of the well-off (beneficiaries of the hotel’s hospitality) and China’s economy.“Guyanese must be given first preference to any job that entails them having to foot the bill.”Sovereign nationGTUC made it clear that while SCG in a global economy is welcomed to engage in global business,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, SCG must be equally mindful that Guyana is a sovereign nation, and its laws must be honoured and respected, including the right and duty of Guyanese to work… even moreso that Guyanese taxpayers (workers) are funding this project.“The Chinese government would not have countenance this display of contempt for its citizens and allowed any foreign company to engage in business in China, on the back of Chinese taxpayers (workers), without their workforce being given preferential treatment and their laws, customs and practices respected, and this would be the right thing to do.”The union called on the Chinese Embassy in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, the Chinese Associations in both countries and SCG to let “good corporate and ethical sense prevail” and act in a manner that would communicate to this nation and CARICOM that they respect the citizens and are prepared in their business practices to honour the local laws, customs and practices. “GTUC also calls on CARICOM and Guyanese to raise their voices to stop the violations of our principles, sovereignty and rights.”The government is so far using tax dollars to fund the project. It has already handed over US$10million (G$2 billion) to SCG. Private investors are expected to contribute US$27 million. |
