CABINET has noted, as the 62nd death anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs is being observed, that the role of organised labour has moved now to contribute even more to national development, particularly, in developing States.
Reporting this at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon said Cabinet acknowledged the climax of national activities that would honour the martyred quintet, their contribution and sacrifice for Guyana.
Observing that much has been said about what their sacrifices meant then and today, he stated that the world has been witnessing consequences of the onslaught of the most significant economic and financial crisis since the depression.
“Fortunes have been wiped out, national governments have fallen, national debt has grown, employment has been drastically and negatively affected. The CARICOM (Caribbean Community) region has not been spared,” Luncheon said.
According to him: “It is in that context that Cabinet would see organised labour and its travails today in this period in Guyana…”
On June 16, 1948, the five sugar workers were fatally shot at Enmore Estate, East Coast Demerara, as they were demonstrating in quest of better working conditions, fair wages and recognition of a trade union of their choice.
The five, Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surujballi and Harri, who died became known as the Enmore Martyrs and, subsequently, a monument honouring their sacrifice was erected at Plantation Enmore where symbolic homage to all Guyana’s struggles by national heroes and martyrs is paid annually, with wide participation by trade union organisations and Government functionaries, as well as relatives and other stakeholders.