By Dacia Richards | HGPTV Newsroom
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is raising eyebrows over the 38% tariffs reportedly imposed on goods exported from Guyana to the United States, calling for clarity and transparency on the issue.
The union says the tariff levels are excessive and could negatively impact local producers, exporters, and the broader economy—especially small businesses that rely on international trade to stay afloat.
“At a time when Guyana is expanding its global trade presence, these kinds of barriers could stifle growth and undermine competitiveness,” the GTUC said in a statement.
The union is urging the government to engage with U.S. authorities to understand the reasons behind the tariffs and explore ways to renegotiate or reduce them.
Calls are also being made for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) to actively protect local export interests.
Dear sir
Can you kindly clarify, why should some
one has to wait six weeks for a passport, despite such changes. I went to a consular section of the mission on 27/12/2024, whic was
a normal working day, after more than two hours of inquiries, sweating, and walking to find
the mission, i wasnt even allowed inside to give
the documents and pay the fees, i was kept at
the gate standing, with the security being the go
between me and the officers inside, then a paper was given to me by the security , which i
would have to go online and apply for the passport, i was told by security, that an officer
receptionist, who usually with such didnt come
to work that day, which was a normal working
day, someone else could have done the transaction, if the officer was out of the jurisdiction, or the officer had relatives with them for the season at her post, does not necessaryily means s/he should turn up to their
post on an official working day, these officials
are employees of the state, and representatives
of the people, and country , and paid by the state. Also their wages, and allowances borne
by the Guyanese taxpayers, i was treated like a
nonentity, in a residential area, while motorists
would drive by looking at me as if im a robber
or beggar, because i am an African, and my dress. It was very embarassing and humiliating
experience, i was very upset at the treatment. I
eventually wrote the consul general who fixed
another date, 02/01/25, on this date, i was about to start a job, of which i informed the consul general. I also let a couple( indo Guyanese husband and wife) who was there, and was told that they themselves had problems finding the mission, and they(elderly) was having a ROYAL runaround for documents.
Why are the elderly being treated in such manner, no empathy, nor sympathy for the aged.
These officers behave as its a private entiry, and
they are better than anyone, because if their diplomatic privileges they enjoy, and they cant
be touched because of immunuty they enjoyed.
I would like to have the passport, as the job i do
being a seaman, and at present opportunities
would be lost, as well as doing any sort of transaction at a bank and other, what form of
protection do i have, i had protested verbally the
six weeks long period , when an immigration
officer should be posted at any overseas mission. I would appreciate your intervention
and an inquiry into such malpractices by such
govt department of the state, with the line
minister, and other stake holder, and the time reduced for a passport, and those elderly people.