PPP’s Labour Day Message

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes all workers on the occasion of International Labour Day.

The PPP calls on all Guyanese to use this occasion to reflect on how far we have advanced in Guyana in terms of working class unity, and the economic and social gains we have made over the years. As a party that originated out of the bowels of the working class struggles, the PPP has always embraced a working class orientation.

It would be recalled that one of the first actions taken by the PPP Government after it won power in the elections of 1953, was to enact the Labour Relations Bill which ultimately led to the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government and the eviction from office of the PPP Government after a mere 133 days in office. It took the return of the PPP to power after 28 years of PNC dictatorial rule before the Bill was finally passed and enacted.

The PPP has always championed the cause of the working people both in and out of office. In this regard, the PPP is concerned over the failure of the Labour Movement to get its act together and wishes to call on the Guyana Trade Union’s Congress to stop engaging in all manner of dilatory tactics and work earnestly with the FITUG to heal the rift in the Labour movement.

It is clear that the TUC, instead of genuinely representing the cause of the Guyanese workers, is more interested in promoting an opposition agenda which is doing harm to the interests of its constituent members and the working class movement as a whole.

The PPP takes this opportunity to call on all workers not to allow themselves to be fooled by those who profess to have their interests at heart, but who are doing everything in their power to undermine the economic well- being and unity of the workers.
The PPP’s commitment to the working people of Guyana can be seen in the numerous pieces of legislation passed. Some of these include The termination of Employee Severance Pay Act, The Trade Union Recognition Act, The Occupational Safety & Health Act, and The Anti- Discrimination Act, along with the constant updates of the Labour Act and the Holidays with pay Act.

Our ratification of ILO Convention’89 on Domestic workers put us ahead of all the countries in the Caribbean, and the recent introduction of a national minimum wage, along with a 40 hour work week, gave nearly 32,000 workers who are non- unionized massive increases ranging between 60 percent to 80 percent increases. We also adapted to the ILO Decent Work Country Programme.
Moreover, the Party’s record of granting annual increases to workers, thus improving real wages, has surpassed the expectations of our critics and has not been matched by the undemocratic forces which misruled Guyana for the period 1964 to 1992.

The PPP takes this opportunity to commend the PPP/C Administration for the several measures it has taken over the years to protect the working and living conditions of workers, especially at a time when the working class in other parts of the capitalist world are reeling under the impact of a severe economic and social crisis.

Long live the unity of workers in Guyana!
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism!

People’s Progressive Party
May 1st, 2014

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