GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine Labour Day 2022 address
Comrades it is Labour Day 2022! We are pleased that after two (2) years that we can all be here together. We extend fraternal greetings to the working people of Guyana. Labour Day gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity, to take stock of our victories, and to assess our challenges. It reminds that our struggles for a just and better society are still to be realized but, our united actions will bring us closer to our objectives.
Comrades, Labour Day emerged around bitter struggles for an eight-hour working day. That struggle saw some 80,000 workers in 1886 marching through the streets of Chicago, USA. As in times before, the ruling classes sought to intimidate and unleash violence, but the workers were not cowed. Their united actions realized the demand of Chicago 1886 and that struggle, like many others, remains an inspiration. Today, we are reminded, yet again, that workers can win their just demands through their collective actions and it is our solidarity that will bring forth new victories. We recollect too that Labour Day was made a National Holiday in 1958 by former President Janet Jagan when she served as Minister of Labour.
Today, we are pleased that so many of you have come out holding your banners proudly. We recognize that our gathering has workers from several corners of our country. Indeed, we are a representation of Guyana and despite our varying backgrounds we have a common objective. This epitomizes the goal of ‘One Guyana’ where we can work to build a proud nation, sound and secured for the future.
Our coming together, demonstrates the strength of the working-class. Though some seek to downplay the efforts of the workers, we remind, it is the workers that ensure the wheels of progress remain turning. Comrades, the advancements our nation records are indivisibly linked to the workers in the fields, factories, offices, and elsewhere and it is the workers who will propel us into greater prosperity.
Comrades, the struggles of past and present workers have removed us from the shackles of colonialism and later from undemocratic rule. Worker’s activism has led to enhanced rights, improved benefits, and greater protection at work. We take pride in those victories but today we are disappointed with the treatment meted out to some workers. Some sections of the Guyanese working-class continue to endure exploitative practices at their workplace as their rights are disrespected and fundamental principles violated. There are workers who do not get overtime inspite of working beyond the normal working hours. Some are denied personal protective equipment as agencies do not cater for such costs. And, there are those whose NIS contributions are deducted by the Scheme has no contributions for them.
These occurrences have arisen mainly in the unorganized sectors. We are conscious many employers are law-abiding and decent. But there are others who seemingly have no regard for their employees. This is an unfortunate development, and it is receiving the active attention of our union. The issues, irrespective of their origin, are the same and speaks to an absence of respect and dignified employment relations. But comrades, as history has demonstrated, respect is earned when we stand together and remain united. Despite the adversity, we can overcome. We are certain as was demonstrated in the past, that only genuine trade unions with workers support can bring exploitative workplace practices to an end. for those not present here, listening to me, let me be clear, you have to join a union, a genuine union.
We remain concerned about the rising trend of agency employment that is creating an arm’s length relationship between workers and their workplaces. It has brought, in our view, greater unpredictability and precariousness to the world of work. At this time, several important questions have been asked but answers are not forthcoming. Undoubtedly, some focused attention is needed given the expansion of such relations.
We have recognised too since we last met that there is an increasing reliance on foreign labour within some sectors of the economy. It is contended that foreigners bring skills absent among Guyanese workers, which may indeed be the case in some instances. Lest I be mis-understood, let me be pellucid that the FITUG nor its affiliates are averse to foreigners or foreign investment. However, we must be concerned when we hear foreigners occupy jobs that can be staffed by locals. In some instances, we have heard, foreigners enjoy conditions and benefits superior to their Guyanese counterparts doing the same job. Foreign labour is also being promoted also against the background of a labour shortage within Guyana. We contend improved conditions and pay to our Guyanese workers may well be the answer. Nonetheless this situation is a wake-up call for my Guyanese brothers and sisters. We have to change our work ethics to win the competitive edge in the work market.
On this matter, we recognise efforts of the Government to increase and improve training opportunities to ensure that our people can take up various roles. We are supportive of the Local Content Act which we believe will go a long way to address this challenge. We urge that every effort be made to ensure that the Act is respected, and FITUG remains willing to play an active role. We also encourage a comprehensive examination be conducted prior to the issuance of work permits to promote the employment of qualified locals. This may require the collaboration of several agencies.
Comrades, at this time, more than ever the rising cost-of-living is occupying the minds of the working-people. According to official statistics, the cost of food jumped by 11.7 percent in 2021. Since then, the situation has been exacerbated arising from the ongoing global occurrences. We are conscious that the situation is not isolated but is of a global nature. In addressing the cost-of-living, we acknowledge the efforts to alleviate the hikes consumers are confronting. The provision of grants and other direct support to vulnerable groups would have assisted to stem the challenges. We recognize too fiscal measures to reduce duties payable on imported commodities. This measure undoubtedly is well-intentioned, but we believe is not reaching the ordinary people.
Comrades, we are disappointed that Labour Day 2022 has arrived and the National Minimum Wage remains $44,200 monthly. We had anticipated that by this time that the new minimum wage of $60,000 per month, which enjoys the support of the social partners, would have been implemented. It is our considered view that it is very difficult for any worker to survive on the current minimum wage. At this time, the current minimum wage when adjusted for inflation is worth less than $39,000 monthly and, therefore, the proposed $60,000 may require further reconsideration for higher adjustment.
Comrades since we last met, our economy has witnessed significant expansion with growth pegged at more than seventy (70) percent between 2019 and 2021. This is remarkable considering the challenges during the period. This expansion is not expected to slow as growth of nearly fifty (50) percent is forecasted for 2022 and just under thirty-five (35) percent in 2023. Given the immense challenges our nation has confronted, we are heartened by such developments. We however are cognizant that the expansion recorded and anticipated is linked to the activities within one sector. At this time, the world is replete of examples of nation’s placing their eggs in one basket and the consequences of such direction. We are mindful of the efforts of the Administration to seek to ensure that development is broad-based and that our people lives are bettered. Along these lines we recognize substantial investment in infrastructure, the nurturing of the private sector, and development of new economic sectors. These could address some of the challenges that rapid economic expansion may bring. It may also assist in diversifying our economy placing us on a stronger footing. Alongside those efforts we see attention being paid to enhance our knowledge base and capacity. We welcome these initiatives and urge that special emphasis be placed on vulnerable and poorer sections of the society to minimize inequality and reduce poverty. We believe it may be worthwhile to explore other initiatives to support poorer families to ensure they are not left out from the rapid development.
We also note the Government’s efforts to consolidate traditional economic sectors. The sugar industry is one area that has received special attention. The Government’s support is critical to the turnaround of the industry which had been largely sidelined between 2015 and 2020. Today, the legacy of the willful damage spitefully inflicted by the APNU/AFC Government has set the industry back several years. It is only now, that rehabilitation and replacement of critical components, infrastructure, and machinery are being addressed. We are told by GuySuCo these are assisting in improving efficiency though it has cautioned that additional resources are required to ensure that the revitalization process is concluded. Such support we believe will be forthcoming from the present Government which has demonstrated its commitment to the industry recognizing its importance not only economically but socially as well.
Comrades, the uncaring attitude of the previous Coalition Government towards the sugar industry caused the industry to lose valuable time. Some of those opportunities may never be regained. For the thousands of Guyanese, put on the breadline and the tens of thousands pushed into poverty, they may never be able to retrieve what was lost. We recognize the now Opposition using every forum to denounce the sugar industry and the support it requires. This is disheartening and is a demonstration, in our view, of their anti-people character. On this Labour Day and beyond today they deserve our widest condemnation.
In recent weeks, we have recognised that several of the industry’s assets have been identified for non-sugar ventures. We are conscious that the Government is seeking to generate employment for the thousands who were sent home. This is indeed laudable and the workers and their organizations must be involved in the process. This is critical in ensuring that decent jobs are created.
As the efforts are advanced to rebuild the industry, a critical component remains its workforce whose efforts in this process should not be underscored. We urge that alongside capital investment, appropriate investment in labour be pursued. As we have said previously, a motivated and committed workforce is a key pre-requisite. Important to the industry as well is a capable management. We are conscious that the industry has lost many of its long-standing respected, dedicated and qualifed managers and there is an urgent need to rebuild a new team now as the industry is faltering in a number of areas and there is need to address these shortcomings towards hastening the industry’s turnaround.
Comrades, on this Labour Day we must lament once again the undisguised efforts to steal our country’s elections in 2020. Indeed, it represents a sad and disgraceful chapter of our history. Today, we remain eternally grateful to those who stood up in defence of our democracy. Their contributions prevented our country from going over the precipice. Every effort is needed to avoid a repetition, and, on this Labour Day, we urge an impartial, independent inquiry be conducted.
Comrades we observe that the world peace remains under severe threat. Ongoing conflicts in our world have the potential of leading to a new World War which could give rise to the use of nuclear weapons. We wish to add our voice to the call for World Peace and respect for country’s sovereignty. The threat posed by climate change also remains a serious challenge. Recent reports indicated that the ecological degradation is advancing, and the world maybe faced by irreversible damage. Alongside these issues is the global rift between the world’s poorest and richest. Recent data has indicated that COVID-19 has exacerbated the conditions of inequality. These issues are collectively bound up in the current economic model which places profits ahead of people.
Comrades, as I conclude, we should not lose focus that we remain in the midst of the pandemic. Though we have seen steady improvements, we encourage everyone to take precautions and to obtain their vaccines to ensure they have sufficient protection. We regret that our 2022 May Day observances were not united. This has always been a desire of the Federation. We remain committed to the unity of the labour movement; however, unity must come on the basis of principle and respect aimed at genuine representation of the working-people.
Comrades, on this Labour Day 2022, 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 play a decisive role and comrades we must demand a seat at the decision-making table.
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 the world’s working-people and, all citizens of Guyana!
Long live Proletarian Internationalism!
Long live Labour Day 2022!
