Hello Trakker Readers, let me resume my more serious persona with this Brief.
During the course of a Debate in Guyana’s Parliament months ago, which resulted in a rare consensus by all parties and members to pass the Judicial Review Bill, the inevitable issue of GOVERNANCE had to be mentioned.
To govern is to exercise the function of government; to CONSTITUTIONALLY rule, administer and manage with the authority of the electorate and STATE; GOVERNANCE – that collective act of governing – now embraces many other elements as a nation’s people – Opposition supporters, Civil society, the youth, all WORKERS AND CITIZENS — look forward to GOOD Governance in the interest and welfare of ALL.
Though the Speaker then is on record as saying that governance; is the COLLECTIVE responsibility of PARLIAMENT, THE JUDICIARY – AND THE EXECUTIVE – meaning government, he too had welcomed the powerful legislation which, will now guarantee that errant State Officials can be brought to LEGAL, JUDICIAL book by any aggrieved citizen who feels he or she has a sound case against official wrong-doing.
The Honourable Attorney- General had also asserted that the Bill was/is necessary for the pursuit of GOOD GOVERNANCE because judicial reviews ensure that the law is observed.
Of course, our Supreme Law, our Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, states in its very PREAMBLE that it must “forge a system of governance that promotes concerted effort and broad – based participation in national decision-making in order to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental human rights and the rule of law”.
As with all Constitutions, that aspiration is an ideal we’ll forever strive to achieve in its totality. Few societies fulfill all those noble objectives. Good governance, I humbly submit, must be demanded, scrutinized and assessed by THE PEOPLE, through active, effective local government organs, non-government associations, reasonable, professional bi-partisan and objective watch-dog groups and political parties. Yes, the people get the governance they deserve and insist upon.
*******
A powerful, independent but RESPONSIBLE Trade Union Movement can also be a significant CATALYST for good governance, BOTH by its own EXAMPLE and through collaboration with reasonable employers, understanding members and workers and yes – government.
My friends, in terms of governance, JUST WHAT DO WE OBSERVE – AND KNOW OF OUR GUYANESE TRADE UNIONS – INDIVIDUALLY, AND COLLECTIVELY these days? Is there an active Registrar of Trade Unions? Can she or he publicly announce true union membership and unions whose (audited) accounts are in order, in keeping with legal requirements? One hallmark of good labour – movement governance? How many Trade Unions in Guyana today are really bona fide? What are their management structures? Can many really approach employers and negotiations CONFIDENT that their own houses are in order?
Trade Union and Labour Movement Governance, I submit, must also be characterized by the same features of democratic participation by members and management after that leadership is properly elected. Even if it takes, or took, COURT RULINGS to fashion decisions that bind leadership to certain behaviours. Trade Union Governance must also flow from the principled, conventional rulings by our Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board. We now have Judicial Review but even that won’t be necessary when original, statutory or Constitutional functionaries act in accordance with their “good governance” guidelines.
The time is appropriate for more Guyanese to spend some significant moments in serious consideration for this principle of democracy – good, citizen-friendly, labour-friendly governance.
You must be logged in to post a comment.