Today, we gather to celebrate a truly historic milestone — the 50th anniversary of the recognition of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) as the bargaining agent for sugar workers in our country. This is not merely an anniversary for a trade union. It is a celebration of struggle, sacrifice, courage, and the enduring determination of workers who stood firmly for justice and dignity.
Fifty years ago, on February 27, 1976, history was made when GAWU formally signed the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement with the Guyana Sugar Producers Association (SPA). That moment represented the culmination of decades of struggle by sugar workers who demanded the right to choose their own union, so their voices would be heard.
Comrade Chairman, the road to recognition did not begin in 1976. It started much earlier and is rooted in the painful history of our people.
The struggle for recognition truly gathered momentum in 1946, following the establishment of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU). At that time, sugar workers had grown deeply disenchanted with the then-recognised Man Power Citizens Association (MPCA). Workers were abandoned and voiceless as they longed for a union that would genuinely defend their rights and champion their cause.
The desire for proper representation was not merely about wages or conditions. It was about dignity and justice. The sugar industry itself carried the heavy legacy of slavery and indentureship — systems that were marked by brutal exploitation, harsh discipline, and deep inequalities between the plantation owners and the men and women who toiled in the fields and factories.
Our history tells a story of resistance. From the revolts of enslaved Africans to the struggles of indentured labourers, the sugar industry had always been a site of both oppression and courageous defiance. Workers endured long hours, dangerous conditions, and exploitative practices. Yet they never abandoned their hope for a better life.
One of the most tragic and defining moments in the recognition struggle took place in June 1948 with the Enmore Martyrs. On June 16 of that year, five young sugar workers — Lallabagee, Ramjattan, Pooran, Harry, and Surujballi — were brutally gunned down while protesting for better conditions and genuine representation.
The Enmore Massacre shook the conscience of our nation. It exposed the harsh realities faced by workers and ignited a powerful movement for justice. That sacrifice not only strengthened the labour movement; it also became the spark that ignited the broader call for national independence and freedom from colonial domination.
Indeed, the struggle of sugar workers was deeply intertwined with the struggle for a free Guyana.
In 1953, under the Premiership of Dr Cheddi Jagan, a major effort was made to introduce the Labour Relations Bill, which would have given workers the fundamental democratic right to choose the union of their choice. However, that progressive step was fiercely opposed by the plantocracy and the colonial powers that ruled at that time.
The prospect of workers freely selecting their representation sent a shivering message to the powers that had long dominated the industry, and their reaction was swift and hostile. Dr Jagan, in his book Forbidden Freedom, wrote: “On the day when British troops entered Guiana, we passed in the House of Assembly our Labour Relations Bill. Employers were to be made by law to negotiate with trade unions, and recognise for collective bargaining only unions enjoying majority support.”
The results are now well documented in our country’s history. The British colonial authorities suspended the Constitution, removed the elected government, and deployed military forces to occupy the colony. It was a dark period in our history, which demonstrated how far powerful interests were willing to go to deny workers their democratic rights.
Yet, Comrade Chairman, the movement for justice could not be silenced.
A decade later, in 1963, under Dr Jagan’s leadership once more, another attempt was made to enact the Labour Relations Bill. Again, this effort was met with intense opposition. The country descended into a period of turmoil and instability, fuelled in part by local collaborators and external forces who sought to prevent meaningful change.
During those difficult times, the struggle for workers’ rights came at a terrible cost.
We cannot reflect on that period without remembering Kowsilla — also known as Alice — the courageous housewife who stood defiantly in solidarity with striking workers at Leonora Estate, facing threats and intimidation from the plantocracy and its agents. Her brutal killing on March 06, 1964, Comrade Chairman, remains one of the most painful reminders of the sacrifices made by ordinary people in the fight for justice and most of all for the recognition of GAWU.
Brothers and sisters, the recognition struggle was one marked by intimidation, victimisation, and threats against activists who dared to stand with GAWU. Workers were pressured, harassed, and sometimes attacked simply for demanding the right to be represented by a union they chose.
At this podium, Comrade Chairman, I proudly say, as President of GAWU, that despite these hardships, over the years our Union has grown stronger. We have grown on the shoulders of those who stood before us, and at this juncture, we must acknowledge the roles and contributions of Cdes Ramkarran, Albert Budhoo, Jankie Persaud, and Komal Chand. All of them were Presidents of GAWU before me, and today my charge is only to build on their rich legacy and our work in defence of our members.
In our early struggles, the support of Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan was invaluable. Their unwavering commitment to the cause of sugar workers provided immense encouragement and inspiration during some of the darkest moments of the hardest fights.
Dr Jagan and Mrs Jagan did not merely offer words of support. They stood shoulder to shoulder with workers, advocating tirelessly for justice and fairness in the sugar industry. Their leadership, dedication, and belief in the dignity of labour, gave hope to thousands of workers who dreamed of a better day. Our Union owes them an immense debt of gratitude, for their role in the recognition struggle.
Then came 1975 — a watershed year in the history of the sugar workers’ movement.
In that year, sugar workers, under the leadership of GAWU, took bold and determined strike action during both crops, demanding that GAWU be recognised as their bargaining agent. For several weeks, workers stood united in their demand for justice. It was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and resolve.
The workers’ call could no longer be ignored.
On December 31, 1975, the recognition poll was held. The results were decisive and overwhelming. GAWU secured ninety-nine (99) per cent of the votes cast, leaving no doubt about the will of the workers.
Then on February 27, 1976, history was made when GAWU was formally recognised as the bargaining agent for sugar workers.
Comrades, that victory belonged to the workers. It was the triumph of courage over intimidation, of unity over division, and of justice over oppression.
Since that historic moment, GAWU has remained steadfast in its responsibility to represent and defend the interests of sugar workers.
Our union consistently advocated for and won improved wages, better working conditions, improved safety standards, and greater benefits for workers, which have positively redounded to the workers and their families. Comrade Chairman, the records speak for itself.
In 1977, the sugar levy strike demonstrated the union’s determination to defend the industry and protect workers’ livelihoods.
In 1988, when the Recognition Agreement was suspended during the struggle for the Annual Production Incentive (API), GAWU again stood firmly with workers in demanding fair compensation for their contributions.
Over the decades, the union has worked tirelessly to strengthen workers’ position. Through negotiation, advocacy, and collective action, significant improvements have been achieved. Apart from gains at the bargaining table, Comrade Chairman, we also provide certain benefits, such as death benefit assistance, bursary awards, credit union facilities, educational benefits, and chairs/tables/tents for certain activities to our members. Additionally, we advocate on behalf of members at the NIS and other representations.
Comrade Chairman, our work was never limited to the sugar industry. The GAWU has expanded our reach to represent workers in several sectors across the country. We have grown into one of Guyana’s most significant trade unions, continuing to champion the cause of working people wherever they may be.
Education and empowerment have also been central to our mission. Through training programmes and educational initiatives, we have sought to develop workers’ skills and capacities, ensuring they are equipped to face the challenges of a changing world.
Our union has also been active on the international stage. Through solidarity with global labour organisations, we have defended workers’ rights and built alliances that strengthen our collective struggle. The fact that GAWU is hosting the 7th IUF Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Union of Food Workers and the presence of some forty-five (45) overseas trade unionists underscores our efforts in this regard.
That international solidarity proved particularly important during the 2015 to 2020 period, when the sugar industry faced one of the most difficult chapters in its history. The infamous decisions taken at that time led to the closure of several estates and the displacement of thousands of workers.
GAWU strongly opposed those closures and consistently defended the interests of sugar workers and their communities. We spoke out locally and internationally against the marginalisation of the industry and the hardships inflicted upon workers and their families.
Today, we acknowledge the important efforts undertaken to reverse those harsh decisions.
We extend our thanks and appreciation to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his Government for their steadfast commitment to revitalising the sugar industry and nurturing it towards sustainability. The reopening of estates and the renewed investment in the sector have brought hope to thousands of workers and their communities. Mr President, in you, the workers have found a friend, a comrade, and a brother. In difficult times, you stood with them and GAWU in the struggle for justice and fairness.
We also commend the Government for its efforts to ensure that workers are treated fairly and with dignity, including the conclusion of the three-year wage and salary agreement, which represents an important step toward improving workers’ welfare.
Comrades, fifty years of recognition is a remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the strength of unity and the enduring spirit of our workers. Comrade Chairman, anniversaries are not only about reflecting on the past. It also serves as a guide for planning the future. Although the challenges facing workers today differ from those of previous generations, the fundamental principles remain the same. Workers deserve dignity. Workers deserve fairness. Workers deserve a voice in shaping their future.
GAWU remains fully committed to advancing these principles. We will continue to defend workers’ rights, advocate for better conditions, and ensure that the sacrifices of those who came before us are never forgotten.
As we celebrate this 50th anniversary, we honour the pioneers of the recognition struggle, the martyrs who paid the ultimate price, the leaders who guided the movement, and the thousands of workers whose courage made this historic victory possible.
Their legacy lives on in every worker we represent today.
Comrades, friends, ladies and gentlemen, the story of GAWU is ultimately the story of the working people of Guyana — their struggles, their resilience, and their unbreakable spirit.
As we move forward, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals that brought us here: unity, justice, and solidarity.
Thank you to the GAWU General Council and all our members for your continued support.
Together, we look forward to building a stronger labour movement, a stronger sugar industry, and a better Guyana for all.
Long live GAWU!
Long live the working-class!
Onwards to greater victories!
Thank you.
