Like every ethnic group… Africans must be assured of equal opportunity

By Lincoln Lewis

THE 1st of August is an important date in the world’s calendar. On this date in 1838, Africans in the British Commonwealth were emancipated from chattel slavery. Usually the community dedicates this month to examine the African condition and advance their cause.

I am a trade unionist of African descent. The principles that guide my work are grounded in international conventions, charters and recommendations which cut across ethnic barriers.

Having examined the path Guyana has travelled and confronted with recent issues and incidents, it is incumbent to examine the African condition with regard to where the group stands today and the positions advanced on their behalf. Every person brings to this conversation his/her own experiences. My experiences as a trade unionist are guided by the tools that are used internationally in determining what is right and just.

From the outset, let it be known that Africans are in a better position than they were in 1838. Prior to 1838, Africans were treated as subhuman; they were not allowed basic things we take for granted today, such as having families, being able to own property and walk the streets without a pass permit. There was no education or healthcare. Voting, self-determination, freedom of movement, speech and association were not considered rights for this group. Slaves were not allowed to negotiate their working conditions. The tenets guaranteed under the International Labour Organisation and United Nations were not applicable to Africans.

Africans are taxpayers and have participated in the constitutional process of electing governments to manage the affairs of the nation, regions and local authorities. Yet they have experienced structured and sustained programmes put in place by elected governments to marginalise them, destroy what they had and repossess what they have historically struggled for and achieved.

And this brings me to the issue of cooperatives, which have their genesis in building the post-slavery economy of the African community. From this economic philosophy, villages were purchased across the country, which saw the establishment of the Village Movement and local government. In recognition of this important plank in our economy and the role it played in the nation’s historical development, this country was named the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Yet this nation bears evidence of the former PPP Government putting systems in place for their friends and cronies to confiscate African ancestral lands and break-up of the cooperative movement, up to the point where “Cooperative” has been removed from State documents. This disregard has seen those who rely on this avenue for upliftment deprived of opportunities.

Under the cooperative principle, institutions that were established such as the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Bank (GAIBANK) and Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) were destroyed by the PPP. These institutions were destroyed not merely because they failed to deliver on the philosophy upon which they were founded, but because the policymakers never cared about the consequences that would befall those who stand to benefit from these institutions.

The disparity in treatment is further compounded by the pronouncements of the ethnic entrepreneurs in our midst. On one hand, there is an argument that Africans are lazy, not business-oriented, love to party, wear fancy apparel, and are criminal-minded, hence deserving to be put on the fringe of society and their rights trampled on. On the other hand, some African leaders having bought into the stereotypes are saying to Africans what they believe ought to be done, but yet at the same time are failing to agitate for or put systems in place to facilitate the ideas they advance.

Within the Afrocentric leadership a blind eye is turned to the destruction of the cooperative movement that has benefited the African community throughout history. We witness the danger of some who have advanced the argument that the cooperative movement is small and ineffective, without checking to see the volumes of money that are in the credit unions.

Bauxite workers who are primarily Africans had a contributory pension plan worth in excess of $2.5 billion, which was the largest single pool of money owned by this race and this nest egg was destroyed by the Bharrat Jagdeo Government. A proposal by the trade union to the Jagdeo Government to have the workers’ money invested under the cooperative principle was not even entertained.

On the 11th of May, the country changed Government. The Indian Action Committee (IAC) was the first cultural group to engage a Government that Africans primarily voted for. The IAC met with the Government to “discuss issues which it considers to be of importance to its constituents and Guyanese in general” and secured the assurance that their concerns are taken on board. A few days ago the government unveiled a 10-point Development Plan for the Amerindian community, inclusive of an economic component.

The Private Sector Commission, which is dominated by non-Africans, has had several meetings with the government in furtherance of their economic interests and was even given the authority to assume an important responsibility of Government.

For the African community what it has heard thus far is that they should not depend on Government jobs, even as the cooperative plank that historically advanced their economic well-being has not been highlighted for any attention of priority. With African workers primarily in the public sector (public servants, police, army, teachers, etc.), with the exception of sugar, and of which unions are active there is no Ministry of Labour. It is historically known that the achievements of Government workers, through the unions, set the tone for how workers are treated in the private sector.

And while sugar workers see a 100% increase in taxpayers’ bailout money going towards safeguarding their economy because the industry is said to be too big to fail, and rice farmers are guaranteed Government’s attention – two industries where Indians dominate – Africans wish to see similar efforts made that can give them a shot at their economic dreams.

All groups must feel comfortable that they are being given equal opportunity. As a trade unionist, equal treatment and opportunity are prerequisites in creating a just and fair society. Africans must be considered for no less.