The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is again pleased to take part in the observances to remember the sacrifice of Harry, Pooran, Lalabagie Kisson, Dookie, and Rambarran, who have been eternalised as the Enmore Martyrs. As we considered our remarks, we are mindful that much has been said about the Martyrs. But then again, comrades, the fact that we continued to gather here now for three-quarters of a century is a testament to the legacy of the heroism of the Enmore Five and their comrades-in-arms who stood up defiantly in the face of tremendous odds and challenges in defending their right to decency, dignity, and respect.
We are here a mere stone’s throw away where seventy-five (75) years ago, the massacre at Enmore took place and where a new chapter was turned in Guyana’s march to freedom. Cde Ashton Chase, a renowned unionist and defender of workers, in his book A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana – 1900 to 1961 described the circumstances that led to the gunning down of our national heroes. He documented the workers’ struggle commencing on April 22, 1948, along the lower East Coast of Demerara, as they responded to several hardships of plantation life and work. The protests emerged over the arbitrary imposition of the cut-and-load system of cane cutting in favour of the long-standing cut-and-drop system. That new system required greater efforts by the workers without any additional compensation. The situation was so grave that the tasks given to workers required the assistance of family members to complete. The strike soon spread, and the workers’ demands expanded calling for improved pay as they were reeling from the heightened cost of living occasioned by World War Two while the sugar barons were recording increased profits from improved sugar prices. So bleak was the situation that the workers’ wages were insufficient to purchase a week’s ration, and there was always indebted to the shops owned by the plantations, essentially keeping them in a state of servitude.
The conditions of plantation life were equally deplorable. The logies built in the days of slavery were seldom maintained, and during the rainy seasons, the leaky roofs and muddied floors made the unbearable conditions even more horrible. The sanitation was equally miserable, and workers and their families obtained water from the same trenches that carried the waste from the latrines, and sickness and disease were common. The ineffectiveness of the then-recently recognized Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA) was singled out as the workers demanded to be represented by a union of their choice – the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner of GAWU.
The workers’ protests received the support of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which, alongside the GIWU, played a leading role in offering support and guidance to the striking workers. In the PAC and the GIWU, and especially in Dr Cheddi Jagan, the workers found allies in advancing their cause and struggles. Dr Jagan recorded in the West on Trial the efforts in supporting the workers and their families and the bonds he formed during the struggle. That confluence of factors led to Enmore becoming the epicenter of the struggle. On the fateful morning of June 16, 1948, the workers had gathered in front of the factory. Cde Jankie Persaud, former GAWU President and a witness to the massacre, in an interview for the Union newspaper a few years ago, described that heavily armed colonial police were stationed in the factory. He said without any warning, the police opened fire on the peaceful workers shattering the silence with bloodshed and tears. Cde Jankie said he saw with his own eyes the brutality of the plantocracy and the means they were willing to take to maintain their grip and control.
Comrades, the narrative at Enmore had been used repeatedly to quell workers genuine reactions to the hardships they confronted. Between 1872 and 1948, fifty-four (54) sugar workers were killed. It was a stereotypical 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 incident and the martyrdom, served in many quarters as an awakening call. Dr Jagan documented the emotion which overcame him at the Martyrs gravesite and the silent pledge he made to dedicate himself towards the freedom of the Guyanese people. During his lifetime, Cde Cheddi and his comrades advanced that pledge invigorating the liberation struggle that led to independence in 1966. Indeed, unlike the past, the brutality of Enmore 1948 did not cower the workers nor dampen their spirit but rather awakened them that their struggles could bring better tomorrows. 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 nationalisation 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 alongside other struggles to improve wages and working conditions throughout the industry and for other improvements.
As we reflect on the journey since Enmore 1948, the Guyanese people have made tremendous strides. Majorly we have been able to chart our own destiny for the past fifty-seven (57) years, an accomplishment we daresay was ignited at Enmore on June 16, 1948. Today we have shed our shackles as subjects and earned the right as citizens. We have continued to march steadily despite detractors advancing anti-people and anti-nation positions ostensibly to protect their narrow political and other self-interests. We denounce those that profess vile hate and divisiveness in society. They and their waning flocks have no place in contemporary Guyana, which is now in exciting times. We are confident that our people will see through their falsehoods and roundly reject them.
Comrades, as we look into the future, we do so with great hope as we anticipate unlocking a modern Guyana and a prosperous people. We recall Mr President you highlighting the future is not ordained but requires hard work and collective efforts. We in the GAWU look forward Cde President, to working alongside you and your colleagues to bring that vision into a reality and to bring our people today and tomorrow into a life they truly deserve as we realise the potential of our country and contribute to making the world a better place.
As we go forward importantly, we believe we must do so together in the spirit of ‘One Guyana’. Indeed, several signs are emerging that we are moving in the right direction. There is more that unites us than separates us. Our unity on all fronts is critical for national prosperity and greater development. We urge that the spirit of togetherness be consolidated, and the GAWU pledges to continue to play an active role.
We are conscious a few days Local Government Elections were concluded. Allow us Mr President to congratulate you and your colleagues on an overwhelming victory and to recognize and applaud the participation of the thousands of Guyanese across our country in electing their local leaders. This is an important element of our democracy, and we are pleased that, unlike 2020, the elections proceeded without a hitch. Of course, this is possible when they are no attempts to truncate democracy and violate the will of our people. Efforts will now turn to our new and re-elected community leaders; we anticipate Cde President the vigour you have brought to governance on the national stage will also be seen at the local level. Indeed, this is needed in our communities as we work to construct a modern Guyana.
Comrades, any reflection on the Enmore Martyrs will be incomplete without addressing the sugar industry. At this time, the GAWU must recognise the efforts of the workers, the management and all others who have contributed to the industry for the first time in many years, being able to attain and surpass its crop’s target. We are conscious that the output may be below the industry’s potential, but we are also mindful of the dilapidation the industry sustained during the period of the Coalition Government. The GAWU is also aware of other challenges, which affected not only sugar but agriculture in recent times and would have impacted the industry.
Comrades later this year, we anticipate the re-opening of Rose Hall Estate. We are aware of efforts to bring the factory and fields into a state of readiness as we are told operations are to commence expectedly by around the third quarter of 2023. The resumption of operations, in our view, is yet another major step in erasing the willful damage inflicted on the industry by the former Government.
Cde President you were with us and the workers during that challenging period. You are very much familiar with the hardships and depression that greeted the people and communities of the closed estates. Indeed, as we considered those difficult times, we are heartened that at Rose Hall that beacon of hope will be restored, and the damage, to some extent, will be reversed. It signals a major achievement being realised and yet another promise fulfilled as other efforts are furthered to reverse the widespread pain in the sugar industry under the Coalition.
As we celebrate the successes within the sugar industry, we are conscious they are linked to the sustained investment by the Government. On behalf of the thousands who earn their livelihoods directly and indirectly, we want to express our appreciation to you and your Government, Mr President. For us, it is a testimony to your sincerity in your commitments to the industry and the thousands of Guyanese who depend on its operations.
We are also conscious that the success being seen and anticipated can be linked, in some respects, to the greater collaborative efforts between the union/workers and GuySuCo in recent months. These we believe are paying dividends though we recognise it may be probable to hasten the turnaround efforts. In this regard, Mr President the GAWU wishes you to consider an engagement between yourself, the workers/union, and the management to facilitate even greater dialogue as we together address certain issues that, we believe, can bring us closer to our objectives.
Comrades, seventy-five (75) years have gone since the Martyrs met their untimely demise. Though they left us in an atmosphere of brutality and chaos, their lives, we daresay, were not in vain. Indeed, the generations of Guyanese who have succeeded them have helped to realise their objectives of decency, dignity, and respect. We have come a long way since Enmore 1948, and there is still much more yet to achieve. The legacy of the Enmore Martyrs and the lessons of their sacrifice represent an eternal guide reminding us that together no challenge, despite the odds, is insurmountable when we stand together. Comrades, this is the most fitting tribute we can give to the Martyrs.
Once more, the GAWU is pleased to pay tribute to the Martyrs and let their sacrifice inspire us to greater success.
Long live the Enmore Martyrs!
Long live the working class!
Onwards to greater victories!
Thank you.
