Dear Editor,
Over the past few days, many Guyanese have been discussing the reports that Regional Executive Officers (REOs) across the country may have been dismissed from their positions. While governments will always make decisions they believe are necessary, the manner in which people are treated during these moments also matters.
If these reports are true, one cannot help but wonder why these individuals were not given the opportunity to step away from their positions with some measure of respect and dignity instead of facing what now appears to be public embarrassment.
These are not just titles or positions. These are human beings with families, careers, and years of service to the people of Guyana. Whether persons agree or disagree with them politically should never remove the basic respect that every worker deserves.
Too often in our society, people are discarded without consideration for the emotional and personal toll such actions can have. A dismissal may remove someone from office, but public humiliation leaves a deeper scar that affects not only the individual, but also their loved ones.
As a nation, we must strive to build a culture where professionalism, decency, and humanity guide leadership and decision-making. There is nothing weak about treating people fairly, even during transitions or disagreements. In fact, it shows maturity and strength.
At the end of the day, positions come and go, governments change, and politics will always evolve. But the way we treat people during difficult moments says a great deal about who we are as a society.