President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, has stepped forward to refute government claims regarding the purported disarray of the union’s accounts spanning several decades, asserting that their financial records are in order.
Speaking amidst a union-led protest, Lyte informed media representatives that the union regularly undergoes external audits to ensure financial transparency and accountability.
At a recent press conference, Vice President Jagdeo had highlighted what he deemed as the union’s lack of financial transparency, citing the absence of a comprehensive audit of GTU’s accounts since 1989. Expressing concerns over the management of billions of dollars accrued from teachers’ dues over the years, Jagdeo questioned the credibility of the union.
These assertions were subsequently corroborated by both the Audit Office and the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority. The Audit Office disclosed that the union had not been audited since 1989, spanning a 35-year period, while the registry revealed that the last financial statements were filed in March 2005 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004.
In defense against these allegations, Lyte emphasized the union’s commitment to financial integrity, asserting, “To seem that the non-submission is a case of persons misappropriating funds is really sad. Because we have had our books audited every year, especially, as it leads up to our conferences,”
Furthermore, Lyte highlighted systemic issues surrounding the collection and auditing of financial records for non-governmental and nonprofit organizations, suggesting a broader breakdown in oversight mechanisms.
Recent remarks by Jagdeo hinted at potential repercussions, including the removal of the Guyana Teacher’s Union from the register of Trade Unions due to violations of the Trade Union Recognition Act, which mandates the annual submission of financial statements.
Indeed the Section 35 of the Act notes that, “A general statement of the receipts, funds,
effects, and expenditure of every trade union registered under this Act shall be transmitted to the Registrar before the 1st May in every year, and shall show fully its assets and liabilities at the date, and its receipts and expenditure during the year preceding the date, to which the statement is made out.”
Nevertheless, Lyte expressed little concern over the prospect of the union losing its recognition, citing the absence of a functioning trade union recognition board. He remarked, “There is none—there’s no trade union recognition board. So it would require a board to do. And if the government hastily tries to put a board in place, then that tells us where we’re going as a nation.”
Amidst mutual allegations and regulatory scrutiny, the resolution of this contentious issue remains uncertain, awaiting definitive action from both parties involved.
