But she said Tuesday that while the Government will promote the process, it will "not be held hostage by any uncompromising techniques."

She was among those making presentations during the budget debate at the Convention Centre of the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, where the National Assembly is sitting because of continuing repairs at Parliament Buildings.

She recalled that PNC/R Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, in an address to Parliament on February 19 last, made allegations about free collective bargaining and unilateralism.

According to Westford, the Government has always emphasised, throughout the last 10 years, that the process of free collective bargaining "is paramount to the principles of good industrial relations."

She substantiated her accusation against the PNC/R by reminding that it was that party which had circumvented the process of collective bargaining when it imposed a wage freeze in 1982 and 1983, in addition to issuing a circular to public sector heads warning them not to "concur in or sign any agreement which contains salary or wage agreements, fringe benefits or other conditions of service."

It was under those terms that collective bargaining was stifled, she contended.

Defending the absence of a specific salary increase percentage in the 2003 National Budget, the minister explained that it was as a result of the Government's desire to implement a multi-year wages agreement for public servants.

Noting that the package would offer workers greater salary security and allow for a better industrial climate, the minister pointed out that in 1992 the minimum wage was $3,137 a month compared to $19,000 in 2000.

This Government is a workers' Government, she remarked, adding that that is reflected in the increase in the income tax threshold in this year's budget.

Highlighting some of the achievements of her ministry, Westford said that during 2002 some 140 students were awarded overseas scholarships and 45 to the University of Guyana (UG).

Scholarships were also granted to students to attend the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) and the Government Technical Institute (GTI), and in 2002, under a new programme, young people from Buxton Village, East Coast Demerara were awarded scholarships to improve themselves.

She said the awarding of scholarships to hinterland students is steadily increasing because of the Government's policy to allow everyone to enjoy education.

Like some of her ministerial colleagues at the opening of the debate on Monday, Westford also expressed disgust at the disruptive manner in which members of the PNC/R "conducted themselves during the last sitting of the National Assembly."

According to her, such display of wanton disregard for the rules and regulations of the Parliament by some if its sworn members serves no good, especially at this time when good faith and trust are words frequently being uttered.

She fervently hoped that there will not be a recurrence of such behaviour in the "honourable" House.

Several PNC/R MPs were among demonstrators who disrupted the presentation of the budget on March 28.

Westford also urged the PNC/R to attend Parliament and represent the people who voted for them.

The PNC/R is maintaining its boycott of Parliament which began last year.

The minister, in commending the Budget which was presented by Minister of Finance, Mr. Saisnarine Kowlessar, said it seeks to ensure that the poverty alleviating objectives of the Public Sector Reform Programme and the National Development Strategy are achieved.