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THE People’s Progressive Party salutes the memory and sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs on their 65th death anniversary. On that fateful day of June 16, 1948, five sugar workers were gunned down by colonial police, and several others wounded for having dared to stand up for their rights. The five sugars workers killed were Lallabagee Kissoon, who was shot in the back; Pooran, who was shot in the leg and pelvis; Rambarran, who died from bullet wounds in his leg; Dookhie, who died in hospital later that day; and Harry, who died the following day from severe spinal injuries. These workers are today referred to as The Enmore Martyrs.
It was at the graveside of the fallen sugar workers that Dr. Cheddi Jagan made a silent pledge to dedicate his entire life to fight against exploitation and oppression of all our people, a pledge which found expression in the formation of the PPP on January 1, 1950.
Indeed, one of the first acts of the PPP administration when it attained political office in 1953 was to enact the Labour Relations Bill, which would have given recognition to the workers union, the Guiana Industrial Workers Union, now GAWU. Unfortunately, the PPP was removed from office shortly after the passage of the Bill and the legislation was aborted.
The PPP has always championed the cause of the sugar workers, from its very inception. During the period of PNC dictatorial rule, the Party fought vigorously to end the sugar levy, which was a millstone around the neck of the industry, depriving the workers of a fair share of the fruits of their labour, and stultifying the growth and development of the industry as a whole.
It took the return of the PPP/C administration to office before the levy was scrapped, and the Labour Relations Bill finally passed.
The PPP calls on all Guyanese, in particular sugar workers, to be on guard against those who are today seeking to denigrate the role played by the PPP and GAWU in bringing improvements to the quality of life of sugar workers, especially at this time, when the industry is experiencing difficulties due to drastic cuts in the price of sugar and adverse weather conditions.
The Party wishes to state unequivocally that it remains committed to the cause of the sugar workers and the sugar industry as a whole. The Party is aware of the current challenges facing the industry, and pledges to do all within its power to return the industry to economic viability.
In this regard, the Party is calling on sugar workers not to allow themselves to be deceived by those who speak glibly on behalf of sugar workers, but by their actions seek to undermine the industry, thereby putting at risk the livelihood of workers and their families.
Today, 65 years on, the challenges for our workers are much different and heavily influenced by global factors in the modern age. This new reality requires a more complex approach. While gains for workers are being eroded in nations around us, the PPP and the PPP/C Government has moved to support our working class families by both increasing social spending, and improving benefits.
At the same time, focus is also placed on assisting those sectors that are experiencing difficulties, such as the sugar industry, as highlighted in the 2013 National Budget.
However, not only do we have international challenges to overcome but also local forces who are stoutly resisting any effort to assist Guyanese, as was most recently evidenced in the budget cuts, including the $5.2B which was set aside by the PPP/C Government to prevent over 160,000 families, including all sugar workers on the GPL grid, from having to pay a 26.7% increase in their electricity tariffs.
Any future relief for these families was also sabotaged with the cutting of over $18B from the LCDS project in the budget some of which was intended to be Guyana’s contribution to the construction of the Amalia falls hydro project.
The most recent display of this attack on the welfare of our citizens was when the combined opposition voted in Parliament against measures to protect our people from criminals on June 13, 2013; including the Evidence Amendment Bill and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
Against this backdrop, the People’s Progressive Party calls on all civic minded Guyanese to use the legacy of our Enmore Martyrs to resist efforts to unwind the gains that we have made as a people and nation since that eventful day 65 years ago.
It was at the graveside of the fallen sugar workers that Dr. Cheddi Jagan made a silent pledge to dedicate his entire life to fight against exploitation and oppression of all our people, a pledge which found expression in the formation of the PPP on January 1, 1950.
Indeed, one of the first acts of the PPP administration when it attained political office in 1953 was to enact the Labour Relations Bill, which would have given recognition to the workers union, the Guiana Industrial Workers Union, now GAWU. Unfortunately, the PPP was removed from office shortly after the passage of the Bill and the legislation was aborted.
The PPP has always championed the cause of the sugar workers, from its very inception. During the period of PNC dictatorial rule, the Party fought vigorously to end the sugar levy, which was a millstone around the neck of the industry, depriving the workers of a fair share of the fruits of their labour, and stultifying the growth and development of the industry as a whole.
It took the return of the PPP/C administration to office before the levy was scrapped, and the Labour Relations Bill finally passed.
The PPP calls on all Guyanese, in particular sugar workers, to be on guard against those who are today seeking to denigrate the role played by the PPP and GAWU in bringing improvements to the quality of life of sugar workers, especially at this time, when the industry is experiencing difficulties due to drastic cuts in the price of sugar and adverse weather conditions.
The Party wishes to state unequivocally that it remains committed to the cause of the sugar workers and the sugar industry as a whole. The Party is aware of the current challenges facing the industry, and pledges to do all within its power to return the industry to economic viability.
In this regard, the Party is calling on sugar workers not to allow themselves to be deceived by those who speak glibly on behalf of sugar workers, but by their actions seek to undermine the industry, thereby putting at risk the livelihood of workers and their families.
Today, 65 years on, the challenges for our workers are much different and heavily influenced by global factors in the modern age. This new reality requires a more complex approach. While gains for workers are being eroded in nations around us, the PPP and the PPP/C Government has moved to support our working class families by both increasing social spending, and improving benefits.
At the same time, focus is also placed on assisting those sectors that are experiencing difficulties, such as the sugar industry, as highlighted in the 2013 National Budget.
However, not only do we have international challenges to overcome but also local forces who are stoutly resisting any effort to assist Guyanese, as was most recently evidenced in the budget cuts, including the $5.2B which was set aside by the PPP/C Government to prevent over 160,000 families, including all sugar workers on the GPL grid, from having to pay a 26.7% increase in their electricity tariffs.
Any future relief for these families was also sabotaged with the cutting of over $18B from the LCDS project in the budget some of which was intended to be Guyana’s contribution to the construction of the Amalia falls hydro project.
The most recent display of this attack on the welfare of our citizens was when the combined opposition voted in Parliament against measures to protect our people from criminals on June 13, 2013; including the Evidence Amendment Bill and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
Against this backdrop, the People’s Progressive Party calls on all civic minded Guyanese to use the legacy of our Enmore Martyrs to resist efforts to unwind the gains that we have made as a people and nation since that eventful day 65 years ago.
