The People’s Progressive Party extends best wishes to working people everywhere on the occasion of May Day, Labour Day. Traditionally this is a time when the working class, throughout the world, take stock of their own performance, their achievements and setbacks.

Internationally this past year has been one of the most difficult for working people. In the developed countries, a financial and economic crisis gripped the world. Many of the driving forces of the international economy fell into recession.

Millions of workers have lost their jobs; millions also lost their homes and other properties. As has happened in previous economic crises, it is the working people that are pushed to shoulder the burden of the crises.

That has resulted in great working class struggles taking place in many parts of the world.

In Greece, Spain, France, Portugal and other places the workers are responding to the pressures with massive strikes and demonstrations.

In light of the international situation, Guyanese working people have a lot to celebrate.

Workers have seen their condition steadily improving. The PPP/Civic administration continues to put a lot of emphasis on its social programmes from which working people benefit the most.

Our senior citizens for instance are no longer subjected to the humiliation of a “means test” before being able to get a pension. That was abolished by this government. It has also been one of the major demands of the Labour movement.

The PPP/Civic government has passed many laws and ratified several ILO conventions all aimed at protecting the working class.

Even though we have much to celebrate, we must not be complacent. The international situation is still difficult and we must know it can impact on us.

However, in the exciting times of nation building, all must be ready to play a positive role. The working class in this regard has a lot to gain from our programmes.
Once again we express our solidarity to workers everywhere on May Day 2010.