Category: News

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has made a 15 per cent proposal for wage increases for its workers this year, but the Guyana Sugar Corporation has stated it cannot meet the union’s demands, and has countered with a five per cent offer. The parties have already met twice to negotiate increases; and they will meet again on July6, Guyana Times International understands. GAWU asked for the same percentage of increase last year, but a bitter wage dispute erupted, with the sugar company threatening to derecognise the union.…

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By Janelle Persaud The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the Commonwealth has made several recommendations on ways to ensure that the interests of smaller countries are addressed at major forums, such as the Group of Twenty (G20) summit. EPG member Sir Ronald Sanders said the group has proposed the establishment of advocacy groups made up of ministerial representatives from rich and poor Commonwealth countries. The rich countries will, of course, include the five Commonwealth member states which are G20 states. “Those countries, we hope, would advance the cause of smaller…

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As Venezuela celebrates 200 years of independence from Spain, its nationals and officials in Guyana made certain they were not left out. On July 5, several citizens, officials from the Venezuelan Embassy and even Guyanese laid wreaths at a statue of Simon Bolivar, that country’s liberator and one-time president from 1819 to 1830. But there was a second reason for celebration; the healthy return of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from Cuba after major surgery on July 4. There was participation from groups such as the Guyana-Venezuela Friendship Society and several…

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The president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Komal Ramnauth, was installed as the new president of the Rotary Club of Demerara on June 27. In his acceptance speech, he promised effective leadership and dignified service. Ramnauth is taking over from Lance Hinds, who was recognised for his distinguished service. Ramnauth said that since his induction 15 years ago, life has turned out to be a Rotarian’s dream. “I cannot remember my first Rotary meeting vividly, but I know it’s been more than 15 years and I’ve…

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By Janelle Persaud Dr Henry Jeffrey, former government minister, says political actors here need to go back to the drawing board and carefully examine the concept of shared governance, as interest in a government of national unity takes centre stage. In an interview with Guyana Times International, the former health, education, housing and foreign trade minister under the PPP/ C administration, said stakeholders touting this system of governance need to understand that it could be achieved. “They need to understand that there is a possibility for doing things and that…

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The Small Business Development Finance Trust Incorporated provided some 685 small loans in 2010 to the tune of Gy$274.1 million. This is according to its chairman Sattaur Gafoor, at the trust’s eighth Annual General Meeting at the Tower Hotel, Georgetown on June 27. Gafoor revealed in his report that, despite several hurdles, the trust has managed to increase its lending by 22 per cent from the 652 loans disbursed in 2009. He said that loans were distributed in four categories: developmental, consumer, housing and micro loans. Under developmental loans, Gy$217…

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The Guyana Tri-State Alliance, in collaboration with The Consulate General of the Republic of Guyana in New York and the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, celebrated Guyana’s 45th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, June 22 with a special evening and appreciation ceremony. Dbbed “A Taste of Guyana”, the event was held at the Brooklyn Borough Hall in Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York. Among the distinguished recipients of the special honour were community philanthropist Rick Chetram (humanitarian Vibert Bernard); actress and advocate for preservation of Guyanese culture, Rose October-Edun;…

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