GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday called on educators to end their protest action as he expressed confidence that the High Court will rule in favor of the government’s decision to deduct monies from the salaries of striking teachers.
The ongoing strike and daily protests by teachers across the country have occurred for nearly four weeks. However, a conservatory order prevents the government from cutting the salaries of striking teachers.
According to Jagdeo, he fears the consequences will be harsher for those teachers who have failed to attend work for the last month.
“We will continue collecting information about those absent from the classroom. I fear teachers being misled into believing the matter is resolved.
“The matter will be determined in favor of the principle… and then deductions will be harsher for teachers.”
Jagdeo said there is an established principle, proven and determined by regional courts, that people will not be paid if they do not work.
Jagdeo said people should not believe that the action filed by the Guyana Teachers’ Union is determined. He reminded me that the two orders granted by the court are only temporary.
While no deductions will be made pending the determination of the case, Jagdeo said the PPP/C government received advice from several lawyers indicating that the laws of Guyana do not support the principle where you don’t work under the guise of a strike, and you will be paid.
“Laws confirm if you don’t work, you will not be paid,” Jagdeo said as he noted a historical case before the Privy Council, which upheld the principle of no work, no pay.
“Explicitly put by the highest court for many Caribbean jurisdictions,” he added.
The vice president urged teachers not to be misled and to return to the classrooms until the matter before the court is determined.
On Wednesday, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain was forced to withdraw a memo regarding the salaries of striking teachers; Hussain risked being charged with contempt of court.
Last week, High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon granted two conservatory orders preventing the government from cutting the salaries of striking teachers and blocking the decision to discontinue the deduction of union dues from their wages.
The orders remain in place until a determination is made in the substantive hearing of the matter, which is now set for March 20, 2024.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), through attorney Darren Wade, in a fixed date application filed on February 16, sought to quash the government’s actions, which they deemed discriminatory and a breach and violation of critical rights.
and then 