The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins with all Guyanese and indeed the people of the Caribbean as we again hail our cultural ties, our economic bonds and our social links which have been fortified and consolidated through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In its 47 years of existence, CARICOM has grown from a four (4) young, independent nations in 1973 to a fifteen (15) nation strong grouping spanning from Bahamas in the north to Guyana and Suriname in the South.
The approximate 18 million citizens of CARICOM come from diverse backgrounds but are wedded by the common goal of integration. The Community, over its years, has realized several remarkable and laudable milestones which have brought the peoples of the Caribbean closer and made them stronger. Today, it is this collective strength that makes CARICOM the pre-eminent organization in our region.
Of course as we consider our own nation’s present situation, we must recognize the efforts of CARICOM in seeking to ensure the will of our people is respected and upheld. Their support in providing a team to scrutinize the national recount especially given the circumstances of our world at this time makes us even more indebted to the Community. We also hail the forthright expressions of the Community’s leaders who undoubtedly are concerned about the well-being of the people of our dear land. We of the GAWU, like thousands of Guyanese, are most appreciate of the efforts of CARICOM at this time.
We continue to recognise the importance of integration today, especially, too, as we face several new challenges and continue to face up to those persistent difficulties. There is also now greater need to redouble our efforts to reach the goals our leaders of the past envisioned. This is ever important as we confront a harsher world which for many is looking more inward. We are aware that differences will be ever-present and that our conditions may not always be the same and that circumstances continue to evolve which sometimes push us in other directions. At the same time, we should recall that we stand stronger together and we record our greatest successes when we speak with one collective voice in a democratic environment.
The GAWU again extends sincere wishes as we observe CARICOM Day.
