Comrades, we of the GAWU are indeed pleased to join in paying homage to Cde Cheddi Jagan, an exceptional leader who has earned a respectable place in our history, in our memory and whose legacy continues to have relevance today.
His accomplishments as a consummate politician and his stature as a statesman sometimes overshadow his role as a Trade Unionist. One of Cde Cheddi Jagan’s outstanding attributes was his ability to link the struggles for Guyana’s freedom from colonialism, to the struggle for political power while, at the same time, organizing and inspiring the working people in their day-to-day actions for increased wages and improvement in their living conditions. On the Trade Union front, in the early years of his involvement, he was close to the Sawmill and Forest Workers Union and to workers’ struggles in the sugar industry. At the same time, he established relationships with leaders of other trade unions. Our farmers’ interests were also never neglected. He played a major role in the work of the Rice Producers’ Association and assisted with the formation and work of other farmers’ organisations. And to his credit, due to his persistent efforts, landlordism in the countryside was dislodged from its prominent position, and we saw that, increasingly, land was given to the real tillers.
But, I believe, any remembrance of Cde Cheddi’s life cannot be completed if we do not recognise his pivotal role in the founding of GAWU and the history-making struggles in which sugar workers were involved.
Cde Cheddi Jagan embraced the sugar workers’ struggles for over forty-five (45) years. That association brought to the workers formidable leadership, led to great militancy and their growing class awareness. Cde Cheddi rose in GAWU, the Union he founded, to the high position of Honorary President. But, as we know, he was never carried away by the attainment of high offices in the Trade Union field or in Government. His primary goals, though not the only ones, were freedom, the consistent improvement of the working people’s lives, establishing in a sustainable way, economic and social progress for our country.
In the years of his association with sugar workers’ struggles much was accomplished. The plantocracy was challenged and that brought on the wrath of the owners and rulers and their support agencies; company unionism was exposed; living conditions and the lives of the people steadily improved; the atrocious logie-schemes gave way to housing schemes with tolerable infrastructure; a system of community centres for workers was established; dispensaries attached to estates to cater for workers and their families were set up. These are among the accomplishments that workers led by their Union and Dr Jagan fought for, stoutly and selflessly, and won.
In reference to Cde Cheddi Jagan’s advocacy in the Legislative Council, Cde Ashton Chase, Senior Counsel and outstanding Trade Unionist wrote in “History of Trade Unionism in Guyana”, as follows:-
“In Dr. Jagan, the workers found an outstanding champion of their rights. The solemnity of the Legislative Council was rudely shaken by his vigorous advocacy of the cause of workers. He had a passion for statistics. He used these in his pungent and forceful arguments to expose reaction and to lay bare before the workers, the vicious system that exploited them. At sitting after sitting, he assaulted the vaunted privileges of the capitalists. On many occasions, single handedly, but nevertheless most heroically and inspiringly he fought for the workers’ rights”
Cde Jagan’s was a strong voice, an ardent advocate for “Nationalization of the commanding heights of the Economy”. For him and the organisations he headed, the rich resources of Guyana belonged to the people and should be developed and worked to their well-being and the country’s benefit. Thus, back in 1970’s, when the sugar, as with the bauxite industry, became State-owned and foreign ownership drew to a close, Cde Cheddi advocated and supported the Act but called, at the same time, for a deepening of the process where workers would have a say in the industry’s management and decision-making.
His life as a politician and trade unionist, we should remember, was not all smooth-sailing. The colonialists and their local collaborationist’s props were certainly angry by his advocacy, the demands he made and the struggles he guided and led. He had to face the wrath of the forces of reaction which helped to defend and perpetuate colonial oppression and exploitation of our country’s resources. He paid a heavy price for his stance, but he did not waver from that course, in the face of such adversity. For that he has earned our lasting respect and an honoured place in our memory.
In our fond memories of Cde Cheddi Jagan, we would often think of him as a “Teacher of the People”, rightly so, that is one of his attributes. And the important question to ask is: What did he teach? His speeches and writings are filled with lessons than can guide us as we face up to new challenges and continue in our various struggles. However, some things stand out. His fight for democracy and arguing that it is a condition for development is still applicable today not just to Guyana but other countries too. He subscribed, in words and deeds to international solidarity, believing correctly that we must give support to just struggles of others as we expect to receive support in our struggles. Class struggles, he held, was inevitable in a society divided by hostile classes and it is this struggle that will determine the future of the working people. He brought to our attention the practices, machinations and dangers of imperialism in Guyana and the world and further showed that capitalism, a system that puts profits before people, breeds inhumanity, poverty, injustice and exploitation.
In the vault of such rich memories of Cde Cheddi Jagan, we find another gem. He was a fighter for World Peace. He was Vice-President of the World Peace Council, a body that conducted activities throughout the world in opposition to unjust imperialist war-mongering, a body that championed world peace in the face of the threat of nuclear conflagration of our planet. Today, world peace has again become a central question before mankind. More than ever the question of world peace must engage our attention. Let us walk in the footsteps of our celebrated leader.
Twenty-one (21) years have gone by since Cde Cheddi took leave of us. We well remember today those qualities that have made him an outstanding leader. In our complicated times and in confronting unusual challenges, he is gravely missed. But, we take comfort in the thought that he left us a legacy which, if creatively followed in these dynamic times will serve as a guiding compass in our many-sided struggles for a better, democratic and peaceful future.
We in GAWU pay homage to this great leader of our country.
