The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Oilfield Workers Union (OWTU) of Trinidad and Tobago earlier today (July 26, 2022) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC). The GAWU and the OWTU have shared long-standing fraternal bonds going back several decades and in past struggles have stood in solidarity. As affiliates of the WFTU, the two unions have shared several common objectives.
The MoC will allow GAWU to benefit from the knowledge and skills from the OWTU which has represented workers in the oil sector for some 85 years now. The memorandum in advancing the GAWU and the OWTU relations recognised that collaborative efforts between developing countries remains an essential prerequisite in stemming the tide and protecting workers.
In the spirit of renewed cooperation and advancing the protection of workers within our two (2) countries, the GAWU and the OWTU agreed to promote collaboration within several spheres. The parties to this memorandum have identified to engage in knowledge-sharing to protect and safeguard workers within the oil and gas sector within Guyana. This will be advanced through the areas of shared training, development efforts and the transfer of technical skills in Oil and gas Industry to enhance workers’ knowledge of their rights and conditions to heighten their consciousness of workplace exploitation. For the unions, to share expertise and experience in advancing the rights and protecting the gains of workers within our unions and countries. The parties will also consider other appropriate and relevant collective actions in the interest of working-class protection and the development of Guyana’s Social Economy.
In the coming weeks, further the unions will enhance the memorandum. The GAWU is pleased to have taken this positive step and is appreciative of the OWTU as we promote regional collaboration to advance the interest of the Guyanese working-class.
