Comrades, I am honoured to extend greetings on behalf of the GAWU and FITUG to all workers of Guyana and the world on this May Day 2023. As we observe this significant day on the working-class calendar we are reminded of the famous German-Polish Marxist revolutionary, Rosa Luxemburg who said, “As long as the struggle of the workers against the ruling class continues, May Day will be the yearly expression of our demands”. Indeed, comrades we are reminded that it is our unstinted struggles that will see realization of our just demands.
Comrades, workers’ labour power is the source of all wealth and life. Those who have historically sought to oppress the working-people cannot make any progress. Workers turn the wheels of production and remain the most decisive and pivotal class. That’s why today we honour the sacrifices, the struggles, the contributions of billions of workers and their families across the world. And, as we reflect on our victories and remobilize for new battles, this is the day when we pledge to continue the struggle on behalf of the working class.
Today we are mindful that there are many workers who wished to be with us. They are facing several challenges and encountering tremendous difficulties. At their workplaces they have no rights, and their labour is undervalued. They are pushed further into pauperization, and they need a helping hand. From this podium, we say to those workers that we will stand with you in full solidarity, ready to guide and assist. Comrades in the spirit of Labour Day imbued by working-class solidarity let us extend a helping hand to our comrades in the unorganized sectors of our economy. For those who are listening to me on the outside, you must join a union, a progressive union, if you really want changes at your workplace.
As we are reminded of the hardships some sections of the working-class confront, we recall too the revolutionary struggle that ignited Labour Day. This day has evolved from a rich, inspiring chapter of the international working-class and rooted in the struggle of 1886 when some 80,000 workers in Chicago, USA demanded an eight (8) hour working day. Based on those struggles, workers representatives adopted a resolution at a meeting in 1887 for May 1st to be observed as International Workers Day. In Guyana, our celebrations began in 1930 under the leadership of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and his British Guiana Labour Union, but it was not until 1958 when Janet Jagan, then Minister of Labour that, May 1st was approved as a National Holiday.
Comrades, Labour Day is a day when we raise high the banner of solidarity of the International working-class. We are part of this world movement. As generation of workers before us have done in our country, the working-class of the world have also written, selflessly, glorious and inspiring chapters of struggles that impacted positively on our lives and influenced profound socio-economic changes.
In our day, we are witnessing new challenges levelled at those who historically thrived on wars, conflicts, oppression and exploitation. Today there are more voices across all continents demanding an end to injustice, and for World Peace, deepening of democracy, an end to poverty, respect for countries sovereignty and consistent, focused, efforts to address climate change.
We of FITUG express, in the strongest terms, our sincerest solidarity to all peoples, especially the working-class who are engaged, in one way or another, in this fight today for these causes. We hasten to add that while we support these struggles, we must also do our share to bring about an order that places people before profits and a world order based on peace, humane relations, and steady progress.
At the local level comrades, the cost of living remains a pressing concern. Officially food prices have gone up by twelve (12) percent. But comrades are telling us that they are paying much more. We are aware of several explanations as we note that Guyana is not alone. In several parts of the world, people are taking the streets but thankfully here, proactive efforts are advanced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips and others in the Government to cushion the effects and bring about relief to our nation’s workers. We appreciate policies to maintain water and electricity rates, zero-rating of fuel, and adjustments to the import duty regime. We have seen too the efforts to enhance disposable income and provide additional benefits. These are welcomed but the situation, for workers at the bottom, remains challenging.
As an interim measure, to assist our lower earning workers, the national minimum and public sector minimum wages should be equated to offer relief and breathing room to families who are harmed by the drastic price increases. Additionally, the National Tripartite Committee should begin discussions to arrive at a livable wage for our nation’s workers. Given our economic trajectory our call is justifiable, and we are open to engage in constructive dialogue to arrive at pay levels which are reasonable in the context of our development.
Those discussions should also advance an all-encompassing social pact addressing retirement and retirement benefits, safety and health, working hours, and labour productivity, to name a few. Indeed, given our stage of development the need for greater collaboration and cooperation is necessary. Certainly, there are many issues which need to be addressed and we are confident that frank, mature conversations could see a win-win situation. Comrades we all need to work together for Guyana’s development and FITUG is ready to advance responsible leadership in unlocking our national objectives.
Comrades, our rapid economic expansion will see us soon rivaling the developed world on a per-capita income basis. We are happy and anticipate the unlocking of greater prosperity for us all. We are conscious too of the paths of other countries. There are not many shining examples, and we must be careful to avoid their pitfalls as we chart our path to further development. Together we must also seek to maximize our resources. We are a small developing country with many goals yet to be attained. We must ensure that our resources continue to benefit our people and country foremostly. Already there is a big boost of the social services inclusive of education opportunities available to the population.
We recognize too the physical transformation of our country and we laud the efforts of the Government. At the same time, we urge credible measures to maximize value to our country. Several concerns we recognize have emerged and explanations have been advanced. We believe, however, that no effort should be spared to ensure that the nation’s wealth is spent judiciously and constructively. This is in the interest of our people today and in the future.
On this Labour Day we must express our sadness over the number of workplace fatalities. We are concerned when we see, far too often, a lax attitude by both worker and employers to occupational safety and health. Too often workers are not given protective equipment and in other instances when given, workers do not utilize them. This is a worrying development and the FITUG sees the need to work with social partners to advance a safety and health culture at work and beyond. We believe it is now necessary to examine the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations, to identify gaps and shortcomings towards implementing appropriate measures.
Comrades, other chapters of our labour laws require attention too. The last major revision took place towards in the latter part of the 1990s. Since then, we have not promulgated any new legislation or pursued substantive amendments. We all recognize several changes took place since and new forms of employment have now emerged. In many instances those workers are minimally protected if at all. We believe it is time for a comprehensive evaluation of our labour legislations to rebalance the owner-worker relationship.
We remain concerned too comrades by the situation on our roadways. Too many of our people are being injured and killed. Irresponsible behaviour by reckless motor lorry drivers, behaving as if they own the roads must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Comrade Chairman, the situation of our womenfolk has not escaped our attention. There is too much of abuse confronting women in this country. Women must be protected, care and cherish. They must be treated with respect and dignity. They were the ones who brought us into this world and they deserve our love, not violence and disrespect.
On this Labour Day, we are conscious too of those who are seeking to drive a wedge between our people. Many of those people not too long ago were trying to convince us about the half of sixty-five and Russian intervention in our elections. They have no credibility, and we are certain their shameless attempts to ruffle feathers will not succeed. Our people we know are much smarter and are not easily swayed by their diatribe. Those who seek to divide along racial lines belong to a time that has long gone. Comrades on this Labour Day from this FITUG platform and personally as President of GAWU, I urge to let us ignore these empty barrels and let us move forward together in peace and happiness as ‘One Guyana’. Racism has no place in our society.
We should not forget comrades that those seeking to divide us imposed several anti-working-class policies that heightened the hardships workers faced. They taxed healthcare, education, and so many other things. They raised fees, imposed new charges and made life harder. In the sugar industry, they unleashed their venom and put some 7,000 workers on the breadline without any remorse or consideration calling it right-sizing!
Comrades, tens of thousands didn’t know how they would eat or pay their bills. Many couldn’t afford to send their children to school. Families broke up, crime increased, and pauperization gripped communities. Today like the taxes and fees they imposed on us all, the damage is being reversed. New life is being breath into the sugar industry. Soon we will see the promise of our President and Vice President being fulfilled with Rose Hall Estate back as a grinding Estate. The efforts of a turnaround are emerging as we see estates after a long while realizing their targets. Certainly, much work is still to be done but we must recognize and applaud the efforts of the Government.
As the turnaround gathers steam, the role of the workers cannot be overemphasized. They have played a credible role despite the assaults of the Coalition. From this platform we call on the GuySuCo management to meaningfully address the inequities and ensure all are treated justly and fairly.
On this Labour Day we regret that the workers movement remains divided. The FITUG remains committed to unity in the trade union movement as it is in the interests of the nation’s workers. But unity cannot come at any cost. It must rest on the principles of the workers’ movement and commitment to working class ideals and not selfish desires. We are disheartened to know that some colleagues on the other side have departed from those time-honoured principles. The FITUG still holds hope that changes will be forthcoming, and unity is realized.
Conclusion
Comrades, on this May Day 2023, 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.
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 all working-people indeed, all citizens of Guyana!
Long live Proletarian Internationalism!
Long live Labour Day 2023!
