6
Editorial
Ethnic accusations THE Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (GIIAA) last Friday hosted a ceremony to mark the 100 years since the abolition of Indian indentured labour. Indentureship, which was a system of bond labour, and used to source the plantation society after the abolition of slavery in 1834, saw various ethnic groups coming to then British Guiana. Those who came through the indentured system were Africans, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, and East Indians. India provided the largest and most sourced supply of this labour. The system of indentured servitude was abolished by the British Crown in 1917. Abolition came as the result of justified determined resistance by the indentured, those who empathised and lobbied against its tyranny, including locals, British Parliamentarians, and others within that society. Agitating against the mistreatment of workers was trade unionist Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, whom the indentured Indians nicknamed the ‘Black Crosby,’ in homage to the white Immigration Agent General, whose role it was to look into their welfare, and whom they considered their only friend. Indentured labour has become solely associated with our Indian brothers and sisters, given that they represented the significant majority. That Indians have played a significant role in developing this society, none can deny. Equally it cannot be denied the presence and contributions of this group in every sector of society, moulding and shaping the nation’s mosaic. There is much within this centennial anniversary Guyanese can learn about the system, its cruelty, and the indomitable spirit of those who fought against it. Such frank and honest discussions would also allow for reflection on how far we have come as a people, and examining the hindrance
of to achieving the aspiration of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” This could be a year for Guyana to shine. But something went awry last Friday at the GIIA’s event to commemorate the end of abolition of indentured servitude. Sitting in the audience included members of the Government, Opposition and Diplomatic Corps and those referred to as Rights Activists and promoter of a race blind world. Outside of the speeches to recall the struggles and honoured contributions of Indians, as with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and a few others, some took this moment for reflection to raise issues, real or perceived, that have since generated spirited debates. For instance Rhyaan Shah holds the view Indians have been marginalised. This perception is held where Guyana has seen an Indian-dominated government holding the reins for 34 of the 74 years of self-government, of which 23 of the last 25 years it held office. It is hoped Ms. Shah could provide supporting evidence to damnable claim that would bring about deserving attention. Ravi Dev, who viewed the closure of Wales Estate as an attack on Indians, overlooked the diversity of those workers. While it is not expected he would be a Critchlow, it is reasonable to expect he would have considered all the workers, irrespective of race, deserving of equal attention. Adrian Anamayah Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic expressed the view that “Indian businessmen are being penalised for their success,” making a call to his “Indian brethren…to stand firm and resist.” The MP also felt that the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) is set up to target Indian businessmen. The SARU
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Editor-In-Chief
Nigel Williams Editor
Godfrey Wray
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Editorial
is established to recover state assets acquired through questionable means, which Anamayah is aware of. It is therefore offensive to Indians and every businessman, who would have acquired their assets legitimately to feel that they are being targeted. As a public servant paid by taxpayers, irrespective of race, the MP has brought disrepute to the august body he sits in and insulted all Guyanese who are paying him and playing by the rules. The GIIAA event lays bare, once again, the simmering mistrust and stereotypes of others. Though inflammable some of the presentations may have been where these views exist and are being promoted by leaders, they cannot be ignored. The society will look towards sources like the government, organisations like the Universal Peace Federation, headed by Roshan Khan to stimulate discussions that flowed from that event. For it surely reminds that Guyanese can no longer play deaf to these voices and their perceptions, real or perceived. Mahatma Gandhi encourages that “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” Ms. Shah, and Messrs. Dev and Anamayah would aid the comity of country paying heed to his wisdom.
Gov’t, private sector must engage each other Dear Editor, RELATIONS between the private sector and the government of any country are critical to the development of the country. Some private companies are at times quite “mercenary”...focusing only on maximising profits, while disregarding the need to pay taxes, pay proper wages and offer good working conditions etc. But an entire private sector cannot be punished for the faults of a few. Further, various governments of a country, when they take office may offer different incentives from that of the previous government to
the private sector and in doing so may favour those who donated handsomely to their elections campaign. Unless these incentives violate any campaign financing or other laws, then such actions are just the politics of business or the business of politics. Beneficiaries of such favour, once not in contravention of any law, should not be targets of a new government. But it must be ensured that these incentives are used for the purposes for which they were granted and that job- creation is one of results. In recent letters I have been pointing to various examples in this hemisphere where governments and their
private sector have been intensifying their collaboration and cooperation. Just last week the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) announced a plan to facilitate financing for the private sector in its member states. The Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) approved and signed an agreement establishing the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation to facilitate the private sector access to financing. The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation is designed to encourage financial institutions in the
Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to increase their lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the provision of partial credit guarantees to facilitate access to financing by the private sector. The Council also agreed that commercial banks should be encouraged to increase lending to the private sector as a means of spurring growth. In the US, many Caribbean governments, jointly with their private sectors, are looking at ways of influencing the implementation of the provisions of HR 4939—The US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, which inter alia, provides for assistance
in promoting the economic development of Caribbean countries. Here again the Guyanese private sector and government need to be working together on a strategy to identify initiatives, programs and priorities that would help develop the economy. The diaspora too can also play a meaningful role here. Against this backdrop, I am concerned about the current unease in the relationship between the Private Sector Commission of Guyana (and by extension the private sector as a whole) and the Government of Guyana. I point to these recent developments in other countries as yet
another form of evidence as to how the private sector and governments in other parts of our hemisphere are working together for the common good of the people. It is my sincere hope that the Government of Guyana and the private sector of Guyana could embark on “A Fresh Start” and engage immediately in consultations that would lead to enhanced confidence in each other and collaboration on workable programs to create much needed employment and growth in the economy. Regards Wesley Kirton