– further cements the Union’s commitment to democratic participation
The 22nd Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) ended on a high note yesterday (August 24, 2023) as delegates and observers are returning to their workplaces reinvigorated and committed to strengthening and advancing the efforts of the Union. The two (2) day activity held under the theme “Advancing workers’ rights, economic progress, and social justice” brought together some three hundred (300) delegates and observers from across the union’s bargaining units to review the GAWU’s stewardship, activities, and efforts since its 21st Congress in August 2016.
During the Opening Session, delegates and observers, together with a number of special invitees, heard from GAWU’s President Seepaul Narine. In his inaugural Presidential Address to Congress, GAWU’s President traced the efforts of the Union since the Congress was last convened. He highlighted the challenges the country and workers faced arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the attempts to steal our democracy. He touched on other areas of regression during the period of the Coalition Government. Narine also pointed to the recent impressive gains scored by the country as he shared that the Union and the workers anticipated further improvements in their well-being and standard of living. He urged the importance of involving the working people in decision-making to ensure their concerns were acknowledged and addressed. He highlighted the necessity of ensuring equality among our people. GAWU’s President also addressed the destruction of the sugar industry during the APNU+AFC regime and the sustained efforts by the incumbent Government to restore and revitalise the industry.
Congress also heard from the General Secretary of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), Sue Longley, who, in her address, called out to the need to ensure the workers were involved in the developmental programme. She referenced several instances of workers’ exploitation and oppression taking place internationally as she urged delegates and observers to take note of warning signals and remain resolute and committed to ensuring that their rights were not taken for granted. Sue pointed to the need for the advancement and sustenance of decent work within the labour market as it offered the opportunity for workers to have safe and secured employment relations. She pledged to continue to work alongside the GAWU and the Guyanese working class as whirlwind developments needed to be people-centred.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in his address to Congress, highlighted his Government’s commitment to the sugar industry, and it would not walk away. He shared with those present several initiatives his Administration was advancing to advance the well-being of the working people on several fronts, as he noted that significant work still remained. President Ali urged the GAWU and the trade union movement collectively to begin to address the future of work, which was being impacted heavily by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics and its implications for the working class. The President highlighted that the rapid technological changes and advancements had the potential to place the developing world at a disadvantage. However, his Government was addressing mechanisms to ensure the country was not left behind. His Excellency also charged workers to approach their work tasks more diligently and responsibly as he noted there was a need for greater commitment by all to advance the country’s development and realise prosperity.
The Congress also honoured several outstanding stalwarts of the Union who contributed selflessly and dedicatedly to strengthening and consolidating the GAWU. Posthumously, the Congress honoured the late Cde Ashton Chase and former Union President Cde Komal Chand. The GAWU has recognised the outstanding and significant contributions of both comrades whose efforts and work have furthered GAWU’s advancement. The Opening Session also received messages of solidarity and support from several fraternal organisations as well.
During the Business Sessions, the Congress considered the Report of the General Council, which was presented by the Union’s General Secretary, Aslim Singh. The comprehensive report addressed developments in the various bargaining units of the Union as it highlighted challenges and triumphs. A major section of the report was devoted to addressing the sugar industry, which during the period saw a significant change in its character and composition. The report drew to attention the efforts of the GAWU in defending the rights and livelihoods of sugar workers as they confronted the last Government, who, from all impressions, were clearly prejudiced against them. The report, which addressed fifty-one subjects aggregately, also addressed developments at the local and international levels. Following the presentation of the report, delegates and observers engaged in a spirited debate as several of them made contributions to the report. They expressed appreciation for the Union’s work and efforts as the congratulated GAWU for its steadfastness towards ensuring that members were protected. Following the debate, the report was unanimously adopted.
There was also an interactive session with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who filled in for Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. During that session, the Minister and his team, including officials from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), addressed several concerns from the workers. The Minister also used the opportunity to highlight the Government’s plans for the agricultural sector and shared that the Ministry was willing to collaborate with GAWU and its membership to further the agricultural drive in Guyana. Minister Mustapha also shared specific plans to revitalise and modernise the sugar sector as he echoed President Ali’s commitment to the industry.
The Congress also elected a new twenty-six (26) member General Council, which will be charged with leading the Union until its 23rd Congress. Delegates and observers also unanimously approved twenty-one (22) resolutions, namely: climate change, the sugar industry, the reopening of Rose Hall Estate, the NIS, GuySuCo honouring its obligations, international working-class solidarity; domestic violence and substance and alcohol abuse, supporting the One Guyana initiative, working-class unity and collaboration, gender equality, recklessness on our roadways, fairer taxes, social dialogue, labour reform, respect for workers, foreign workers, improved minimum wage, the cost of living, collective bargaining, occupational safety and health (OSH), and solidarity with the workers of RDP packaging. Copies of the resolutions will be shared with the relevant parties in order to generate awareness of the Union’s concerns on the range of issues addressed.
Congress concluded with the charge from the Union’s President Seepaul Narine. In his concluding remarks, GAWU’s President congratulated the delegates and observers for their participation and contributions. He shared his belief that the Union has emerged stronger from the Congress and that our collective efforts would redound to the membership and the working class generally. He said he believed that following the 22nd Congress, the Union would continue to expand as it remains a voice for the voiceless and an ardent defender of its members. He urged delegates and observers to return to their workplace imbued with a greater commitment to the GAWU and to ensure that the membership is aware of the deliberations of the Congress. He stressed the importance of working together and noted that in our unity, there is no force that could defeat us.
From all accounts, the 22nd Delegates’ Congress was a success. It has served to enrich the Union and strengthen its ranks. The deliberations and contributions, undoubtedly, would enhance the GAWU’s efforts in the coming period, and its new General Council would be charged with implementing several Congress decisions.
