2019 from various perspectives, can surely, be regarded as memorable. It has been a year filled with ups and some downs. For the trade union movement, it has been also a year of reflection as the movement observed a century since its establishment. It is a significant achievement and our Union was pleased to have organized an activity to celebrate the history-making anniversary. As we considered the centennial anniversary, we have recognised how far the workers of Guyana have come. In as much as we celebrate such an achievement, we recognise the attempts to rollback our gains and to undermine our victories. Indeed, the workers of Guyana have to remain vigilant and look out for the wolves in sheep’s clothing, those who seek to destroy what current and past generations of workers have won.
2019 indeed was a remarkable year; it demonstrated the correctness of our positions and showed us that despite adversity and difficulty we can succeed in realizing our reasonable objectives. The year also reminded us of the difficulty of a jobless life and the heartbreak and sorrow it brings. Indeed, the year was momentous on several fronts but it is ending not on a positive note. Today, many of our people are finding life difficult; they don’t know where next to turn and what next to do.
As the year comes to a close we see that our country, too, has arrived at a critical crossroad. The spirit of nation-building and to collectively work towards greater progress are being overtaken, it seems, by self-interests and narrow political ambitions. We must take note of this, but also take heart in the belief that the obstructionists to progress will have their schemes aborted.
As past generations of workers have shown us we can overcome adversities and win out if our demands and struggles are just. This is their abiding lesson to us. This enduring message we should not forget. The working people must be always vigilant, militant, organizationally strong and united, and must always raise the banner of solidarity.As we now enter not only a new year but a new decade as well, we are hopeful that the trials and tribulations we faced over the latter half of the decade can be erased. We are hopeful that injustices perpetuated can be righted. And, we are hopeful that a better tomorrow will dawn.
