-as GLU congress opens under climate change theme
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo got recognition befitting the Champion of the Earth as the Guyana Labour Union’s (GLU) sixth triennial congress opened at the Princess Hotel, Providence, Wednesday evening, under the theme “Facing the challenges of climate change for workers’ progress.”
Declaring the congress of the oldest trade union in Guyana open, the President congratulated its leader Carvil Duncan for his vision in the selection of such a theme, declaring that climate change should not only be a personal crusade but a national one. The President further noted that other unions should perhaps adopt this approach as the workers that some of them represent would be more directly affected by the effects of climate change.

According to President Jagdeo, historically, unions have played a significant role in the independence struggle, “contributing inspiration, sweat and blood” to it. And while the struggle hasn’t ended, the dynamics have changed.
The President declared it a credit to the GLU that it has recognised this paradigm shift and has aspired to remain relevant in this regard.
The Head of State however underscored that behind the struggle’s evolution, there must remain a keen understanding of how the prosperity of the workers the unions represent is linked to the ultimate prosperity of the nation and its global context and implications.
Referring to the current global economic slowdown, the President noted that while most developed countries are still reeling from the after effects of a crisis induced by their neo-liberalistic ideologies, as is evident across Europe, Guyana’s economy has actually seen growth and the country is on a developmental path.
Underscoring the theme, the President said that it was up to all of us to ensure that climate change does not become a tool of the developed world, pointing to the fallout from Copenhagen and the attitude of the first world to a crisis that they significantly contributed to in the first place.

Noting that climate change is a particularly large challenge, President Jagdeo said that Guyana, instead of complaining about the burden of adaptation, has instead used it as an opportunity and has thus adumbrated and is championing the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). According to President Jagdeo, were the country to pay the more than US$1B cost for adaptation from its national budget, it would present some difficulties, especially for workers whose benefits would be affected both directly and indirectly. He explained that the money expected from the LCDS would only redound to the benefit of Guyanese, especially with the construction of the hydropower facility at Amaila falls which would see a reduction of electricity cost by some 40 percent.
Acknowledging government’s inability to sometimes meet the demands of some trade unions, President Jagdeo noted the strides his government has made in the development of the social sectors of housing, with more than 75,000 house lots targeted for distribution, the development of new housing schemes, the empowerment of single parents through the Women of Worth (WOW) campaign, and the more than $22B spent on education to ensure better delivery and results.
President Jagdeo reiterated the commitment of the PPP/C government to the cause of the workers, expressing his gratitude for partners in the fight for climate change, noting that the challenge is always easier when faced with unity.
At the opening ceremony, too, tokens were presented to the President, to the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation for its longstanding relationship with the GLU, and the Critchlow Centenary Medal to Ashton Chase for his sterling contributions to trade unionism in Guyana.
Also present were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Ramesh Dookhoo. (GINA)