– GAWU Assistant General Secretary tells Port Mourant May Day Rally
Once more, May Day is being observed, not only in Guyana but in many countries of the world and on this occasion, we of the GAWU extend best wishes to the workers of Guyana, and indeed the world. We, at the same time also, send fraternal greetings and solidarity to the oppressed and exploited of the world who, like us, are yearning and struggling for a better tomorrow. On this May Day, we urge that as we celebrate our victories that we too take stock of where we stand and what are the just goals we are yet realize.
Comrades, as we observe this important day on the working-class calendar, we should not forget that our observances have their roots in an inspiring chapter of the international working-class history. This chapter goes back to 1886 when some 80,000 workers in Chicago, USA marched to demand an eight (8) hour working day. Based on those struggles workers representatives adopted a resolution at a meeting in 1887 for May 1st to be observed as International Workers Day.
Locally, our celebrations of Labour Day this year have taken on even greater significance as we commemorate one hundred years of Trade Unionism in Guyana. Undoubtedly, it is a momentous achievement and one that we as Guyanese should take great pride in. As this notable anniversary is observed we pay tribute to the Father of Trade Unionism, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow who despite great adversity worked tirelessly in the establishment of the first workers organization in the British Colonial Empire. Today, also we hail the contributions of other outstanding trade unionists who continued the work of Critchlow and who advanced over the last century the rights, conditions and benefits of our nation’s workers. Indeed comrades we, the inheritors of their work and efforts, owe those unionists a tremendous debt as it is on their body of work we stand on proudly today waving aloft flags and banners of workers strength and achievements.
Comrades, we are indeed heartened to share that our Labour Day observances, once again, are celebrated under a united banner with a singular march and rally taking place, as we speak, in Georgetown. Indeed, the collectiveness augurs well for the nation’s workers who still have before them formidable challenges, threats to their gains, and many aspirations to realize. Indeed, we go forward in the future hopeful of increased collaboration and co-operation in the Trade Union movement and the forging of a stronger unity.
Comrades, the importance of solidarity and unity cannot be underscored especially at this time when we see attempts to undermine our collectiveness. Comrades, we have seen the real successes scored when we stand together. Just in the last few months, our standing together brought success in struggles involving the bauxite workers and the teachers. Indeed, it reminds us of an abiding lesson of the working-class that in unity there is strength. It tells us, clearly, that if we stand together we can go on to score many gains and receive the respect we duly deserve.
Local situation
Comrades as we observe Labour Day 2019, we cannot ignore the heavy burdens of the high cost-of-living. In recent years, the tentacles of taxation have reached several essential goods and services apart from other impositions that have been levelled and served to mount living costs. Over the last year, those burdens became weightier as we have had to contend with increased water rates and higher public transportation costs. Clearly, our workers are beleaguered and in need of help and reprieve as they struggle to keep their heads above the proverbial water line.
Comrades almost daily, we hear and read about people being victims of banditry, robbery and other forms of crime. It seems to us that crime has been more pervasive and those engaged in such acts have become more brazen. The crime situation of course cannot be disconnected from the increase in the army of the unemployed. Of recent, several enterprises, on account of a declining business climate, have has to curtail employment while, in other cases, some have had to permanently shut their doors and put several out of work. The situation is not a healthy one does not augur well for our people who are generally terrified at this time.
Comrades, on this May Day it is simply inexcusable that in the birthplace of Trade Unionism in the British Colonial Empire, there is no longer a Ministry of Labour. The Ministry which existed up to May, 2015 has now been relegated to a Department after more than sixty years of existence. This is simply an unacceptable situation and it is a matter which the Trade Union Movement has, on more than one occasion, expressed its vexations but this has fallen on the deaf ears of those in charge. It seems to us that the Government is vehemently opposed to a Labour Ministry. We express such sentiments recognizing that the Administration used its 33-seat majority, notwithstanding compelling and rational reasons, to disagree with the Opposition-sponsored motion to re-establish the Labour Ministry.
Comrades, Collective Bargaining is another matter that also continues to receive scant attention nevertheless from the powers-that-be. We should not forget that in 2015, no lesser than then candidate, now President, David Granger undertook at the GTUC Rally that “…that unions can sit down with employers and restore collective bargaining…”.Today, that undertaking remains unfulfilled and workers’ rights are ignored in this regard. The Finance Minister in his 2019 Budget address did say “…the wages and salaries of public servants will be increased in 2019, after discussions with the respective unions”. But comrades, we heard this before, and to date such promises remains dashed. We urge though, at this time, that the Government not only honour its commitment but respect our laws whichhave made Collective Bargaining a right and not a concession.
Labour Day 2019 also finds our country experiencing some degree of uncertainty and we daresay trepidation. In a few days we should be receiving the fateful decision from the Caribbean Court of Justice that will, one way or another, impact our politics. On these matters, we have seen several views emerging and we have also seen what appears to be a piecemeal compliance with our Constitution. Such a situation we content is not in our interest and nor does not set a good precedent for the future as well.
Another matter that hangs over our head relates to concerns that have emerged regarding the upholding of our democratic culture. These sentiments, for us, are deeply concerning especially knowing that is was the working-people played a noteworthy role in the many-sided efforts to bring about the restoration of democracy in Guyana. Today faced with these new challenges, we need to raise our voices loudly against such machinations. We also look, at this time, to those who are charged with upholding our democratic system to ensure there are proper and unassailable safeguards of our systems and thus strengthen our citizen’s confidence in our democratic practices of today.
Labour Day 2019 will also be the last time, we meet before oil production commences.We continue to hear that large sums that would flow our way, but we cannot discount at the same time the many concerns that have emerged. We are of the strong view that we should have secured a better deal especially taken account of what has taken place in other parts of the world. While as extraction is heightened and investments recovered significant sums could very well reach our coffers, we see there is no clearly defined plan to use our oil revenues to ensure that it benefits our people even after the resource is exhausted. The talk of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) appears to be good on the surface but such policies require strong institutional safeguards if we are going to avoid the pitfalls that many countries have faced and are facing.
As we consider oil, we have seen several foreign-owned enterprises setting up shop obviously to take advantage of the sector. In this vein, in recent times, we have also seen too the actions of some foreign enterprises towards workers. We well recognise that their actions are largely no different from what has occurred elsewhere as well. While we are not averse to investment, whether it be foreign or local, it should not come at the expense of workers’ rights and conditions. In such circumstances a Ministry of Labour is even more missed.
Sugar Industry
Comrades, the treatment of the sugar industry and the thousands of Guyanese still linked to its operations remains a matter of serious concern. It is sad to note that the sugar workers have been shabbily treated and as comrades well know that sugar workers remain the only workers under the State’s umbrella to be denied pay rises since 2015. It is baffling to understand why the sugar workers are being treated so disdainfully. One can only conclude that this is plain eye-pass and blatant discrimination.
At this time too, many of the 7,000 Guyanese who lost their jobs have remained largely hard-pressed. Many of those rendered jobless have been unable to recover from that decision and are facing severe hardships. Interestingly, the Minister of Finance in his 2019 Budget address said the sugar sector “…has huge potential for growth, being pivotal to increasing household incomes, reducing unemployment and, ultimately, lowering the poverty rate”. So if this is really the case, as we believe it is, why did the Government close the estates and created thousands of new poor? Clearly, this further serves to demonstrate the callousness of the decision to minimize the industry.
Comrade workers, at this time there is apparent confusion surrounding the sugar industry. There is the risk that this lack of clarity could very well threaten efforts to improve the viability of the remaining GuySuCo estates for which the recently announced $30B financing is intended. We repeat there is an urgent need for a workable plan involving the workers and their organizations which will strengthen any and all efforts to attain the desired ends and goals.
We want the industry to succeed as a large number of Guyanese depend on its operations. We have seen the ramifications of the vacuum created by sugar. But, success must involve a collaborative and comprehensive approach. There is no singular magic bullet but hard work, commitment, knowledgable personnel and, of course, a motivated workforce – factors which are critical elements in overcoming the difficulties as we have done time and again.
International Situation
Comrades, Labour Day is, as we know, a day when we raise high the banner of solidarity of the international working-class. We are part of this world movement. As generations of workers before us have done in our country, the working-class of the world have also written, selflessly, glorious and inspiring chapters of struggles that impacted positively on our lives and influenced profound socio-economic change in their respective societies.
In our day, we are witnessing new challenges levelled at those who historically thrived on wars, conflicts, oppression and exploitation. These ruling forces and their agencies and their puppets, in spite of their use of new methods and intrigues against the peoples, are unable to suppress their reinvigorated struggles erupting on all continents or to still the peoples voices that demand an end to injustice, and are calling for World Peace, deepening of democracy, end to poverty, respect for countries sovereignty and consistent and focused efforts to address climate change which is reaching a critical level.
We of GAWU express, in the strongest terms, our sincerest solidarity to all peoples, especially the working-class who are engaged, in one way or another, in this fight today for these causes. We hasten to add that while we support these struggles, we must also do our share to bring about an order that places people before profits and a world order based on peace, humane relations, and steady progress.
Conclusion
Comrades, on this Labour Day 2019, as workers let us recognize that we need to be more assertive in demanding our rights and insist that we be involved in the decision-making processes that impact our lives. We must speak up and speak out for democracy and justice.
Today’s conditions do not call for complacency but for greater activism. The spirit of Chicago, 1886, as well as our own rich legacy should serve to inspire us today. Let us remember these insightful words to the world’s workers: “Workers, Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains; you have a world to win”.
May Day greetings to all working-people indeed, all citizens of Guyana!
Long live Proletarian Internationalism!
Long live Labour Day 2019!
