Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira and Tourism and Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes clashed in the National Assembly on Wednesday over the issue of contract workers for the government.

Ms. Teixeira, who was a contract employee herself under the last PPP Civic administration, complained to the House that the services of several persons were discontinued when the new government took office although she believes there must have been the need to tap into their experience.

She believes much of the dismissals and refusals to renew contracts may have been because the new government wanted to show power and prove that “is we time now”.

“The public service rules allow for contract workers, so if you have a problem with contract workers, you have to get the public service rules to be amended, you have to bring the changes for the Public Service Commission to adopt and then you do it and not like what you started doing from the time you got into office, willy nilly. I got terminated as you know and I did not need to be terminated”, Teixeira said, as she admitted that she know she was going to be on her way out once the government changed.

But even as she questioned the removal of a number of workers since the government took office, she raised concern about the increase in the total number of contract employees under the new government. The Opposition MP said the government needs to start listening to the people and stop bulldozing its way through everything.

Just after Teixeira wrapped up her presentation, Tourism and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes challenged the Opposition member to bring a list to the house of persons who may have been dismissed by the new government and defend their employment.

Hughes said like any employer, the government had a right not to renew contracts that had expired. She said if the PPP truly wants to discuss contracts, it should begin with what could best be described as the scams that took place in Guyana under the PPP’s watch.

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