The GAWU is pleased, once more, to be associated with these observances as we pay tribute to Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookie, and Harry who nationally are known as the Enmore Martyrs. For our Union, the Enmore massacre represents a monumental turning point in our history. It reinforced that through our collective efforts there was no obstacle that was insurmountable. Indeed, in the years that followed Enmore 1948, as a people and a nation we scored several victories and realized many aspirations.
Comrades, as we pay tribute to these National Heroes we are reminded of the injustice and oppression that the martyrs, their colleagues, and, indeed, our fore parents endured. The Enmore struggle begun on April 22, 1948, as workers along the East Coast protested the imposition of the cut-and-load system of cane cutting. As the struggle widened with Enmore becoming its epicenter, the workers expressions grew to denounce, justifiably, their squalid living conditions and deteriorating working conditions. They also heightened their calls for the recognition of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner of the GAWU, as the Union of their choice.
As in previous episodes of workers activism, the plantocracy, aided by the colonial masters, sought to brutally crush the struggle. It was a stereo-typical response intended to ensure that the then colonial subjects remained docile as the plantocracy, and colonialists extracted maximum value. Indeed, comrades it may have worked in several previous episodes. But alas Enmore 1948 was different.
The Enmore struggle emerged when discontent among the workers in the colony was growing. In April 1947, a sixty-four (64) day strike by bauxite workers at McKenzie and Ituni called attention to the racial discrimination and segregation perpetuated by the owners of the Demerara Bauxite Company. In late February 1948, the Transport Workers Union stood up against the arbitrary transfer of its leaders from Georgetown to different parts of the colony with an effective strike. Not only were the transfers cancelled but the authoritarian Colonel Teare, who ordered the transfers, was hurriedly recalled by the Colonial Office. Apart from workers struggles during the 1940 – 1950 period, there were also significant developments. Notably the formation of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) by Dr Cheddi Jagan and others in 1946 out of which emerged the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950. Among the new political party’s immediate priorities were heightening the call for universal adult suffrage and its bold challenge to the rule of the colonial masters and their local capitalist associates. Winning a seat in the Legislative Council in 1947 gave Dr Jagan an opportunity to advance pro-people and particularly pro-worker measures and thus awakened the political consciousness of the people.
It was against that background that the Enmore incident and the martyrdom, served in many quarters, as an awakening call. Dr Jagan and his colleagues saw to that, and former President Janet Jagan had expressed that the brutal massacre sent a “thunderbolt” throughout the society and invigorated the liberation struggle that followed.
Indeed, the brutality of Enmore 1948, unlike the past, did not daunt the workers nor dampen their spirit. Their militancy in the sugar industry grew and political awareness and activities expanded. Sugar workers right to be represented by a union of their choice was won in 1976. Under the aegis of GAWU, sugar workers have taken part in several struggles. They championed the nationalization of the sugar industry, stood up and fought for the restoration of democratic elections and later challenged estate closure and the minimization of the industry. These struggles took place side by side with other struggles to improve wages and working conditions throughout the industry and for other improvements. Additionally, workers in more recent times, stood up against discrimination meted out to them by the former Government.
Guyana Today
Now seventy-four (74) years after the brutality at Enmore, fifty-six (56) years of which we have been in the driver’s seat, how have we fared? Undoubtedly, we have accomplished several objectives and life for our people has improved. We are heartened by such developments and see this as a fitting tribute to the Martyrs. Though we take solace by such developments, we recognize there are still several objectives yet to be attained.
We recognize active efforts aimed at bettering the lives of Guyanese. The GAWU supports economic advancements and all-round development which ensures that our wealth is equally distributed to the benefit of all Guyanese. Comrades, a major achievement stemming from the martyrdom was the attainment of Independence and later Republican status. The martyrdom reminds us of that period when our wealth was shipped abroad to enrich our masters while we languished. We need not repeat such pitfalls as an independent nation. We, of course, want to see Guyana prosper and our people flourish. However, as history has thought us such goals can be attained when we stand together, remain principled, and ensure that our genuine concerns are not ignored or downplayed.
As we draw parallels from the Martyrs, we recollect the heightening living costs the working-class of that period faced. Renowned Cde Ashton Chase in his seminal work – The History of Trade Unionism in Guyana: 1900 to 1961 – documented the costs of living had jumped significantly arising from the Second World War. Today, our people are also victims of another conflict waging far away from our shores. In recent months, a confluence of factors has occasioned a substantial jump in prices, placing tremendous challenges on our working-people and their families. We must say we are not unmindful of the efforts furthered to bring reprieve to our people. Comrades, it should not be forgotten that among the calls of the Enmore Martyrs was the cry for improved wages. Against that background, we reiterate, once again, our call for the improvement in the National Minimum Wage as approved by the National Tripartite Committee. At this time, we believe a higher wage is necessary, given current circumstances, but we believe the long-outstanding improvement will allow our low earners to breathe a little easier.
Sugar industry
Comrades, at the centre of the martyrdom was the sugar industry. Today, the exploitative character of the industry has been condemned to history. Under the ownership of the State, the industry’s wealth played a meaningful role in developing our nation after enriching our foreign masters for hundreds of years. This, undoubtedly, is one of the lasting legacies of the Martyrs. Such feats of course cannot be separated from the successive struggles of the workers.
Today, the industry remains in a difficult situation. The spiteful closure of estates during the term of the Coalition Government can never be forgiven nor forgotten. For tens of thousands of Guyanese, it remains a scar that may never heal. Indeed, to those who authored and executed such policies they deserve our widest condemnation. We are certain that when that chapter of national history is written it will not be kind to them.
Presently, we are aware of the commitment of the His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali and his Government to revitalize the industry. This has been tangibly demonstrated and we see efforts of several estates to improve capacity and capability. We are encouraged by those developments. We also note too that at some former estates there are commitments to pursue re-development which may take us in another direction.
Comrades, in reflecting on sugar, we remain apprehensive as we considered the recently concluded first crop. It simply was an appalling performance, the lowest first crop output in the history of the Corporation. We have heard the explanations of weather, labour and machinery. Such rationales, we contend, are over exemplified to obscure the real issue which is poor leadership and management of the industry. The degeneration has reached to the point where workers Credit Union savings deducted from their wages are not remitted. It was pleasing, therefore, to recognize the President taking a proactive approach when we saw a few days ago His Excellency reportedly reading the Riot Act to the current leadership of the Corporation. Indeed, it appears, the President and the GAWU’s views are aligned. However, we say to you sir, action must be taken as a matter of urgency. We cannot allow the slide to continue. As the saying goes “Heads must roll” and this should start from the topmost executive. Cde President, you summed it up rightly when you said revitalizing the industry was serious business. Do not allow the ineptness to embarrass your Government any longer.
Conclusion
Comrades, the Enmore Martyrs remain an inspiration to us all. It reminds us of the adversities we have overcome and tells us how far as a people we have travelled. We believe that the lessons and struggles of the Enmore Martyrs remain useful in our present times. It reminds us that for us to win respect and bring an end to exploitation and oppression we must stand together. Today, given the present situation the heroism of the Martyrs remains an inspiration to us all. It is incumbent on us all to ensure that the legacy of their sacrifice remains an eternal guide.
Once again, GAWU is pleased to honour the Enmore Martyrs and acknowledge their abiding role in Guyana’s more recent history.
Long live the Enmore Martyrs!
Long live the Working Class!
The struggle continues!
