September 23, 2010
Georgetown, Guyana.
For Immediate Release
To All Media Houses
The AFC views the remarks attributed to Ms. Cynthia Singh and husband Mr. John Singh in response to allegations made against them by a former Amerindian maid employee as racist, discriminatory and atrocious. It is alleged that they said they will not employ another Amerindian because that particular ethnic group is not trustworthy.
This is obviously stereotyping a given ethnic group, as is their statement that Amerindian women are targeting business people especially men. Such assertions warrant an investigation by the appropriate authorities.
It is common knowledge that persons of Amerindian decent especially women are preyed by some businessmen for cheap labour and other inappropriate social acts in favour of their businesses. We do acknowledge that on the other hand there are many business persons who retain Amerindians and treat them justly. Hats off to them!
The maid in question may have done wrong and if she did, there are appropriate civil and legal ways to address the matter.
The Singhs’ approach leaves much to be desired. How would the Singhs’ feel if the Guyana Variety Store and Nut Centre of which they are the proprietors, is singled out and targeted for non-patronage? The multi-ethnic nature of society demands that we show greater tolerance and respect for each other. The AFC calls for a speedy investigation by the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Labour and the Indigenous Peoples Commission.
For more information contact:
The Alliance For Change
Tel: 226-0181
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