MINISTER of Social Protection Volda Lawrence and several union leaders and representatives yesterday morning braved the drizzles as they marched from the Square of the Revolution to Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown to honor the five Enmore Martyrs.

The group, which numbered less than fifty, proceeded to the cemetery and arrived at the graveside of the martyrs to musical accompaniment by the Guyana Police Force band which led the procession.

The memorial programme saw remarks by representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Government of Guyana.
Wreaths were laid at the graveside of the fallen workers by representatives of several trade unions and the Government and relatives of the Enmore Martyrs.
In her address to the gathering, Minister Lawrence reminded that the lives of the five workers were snuffed out while fighting for better working conditions and better rights for workers all across Guyana.
She added that while it is fitting that the State and other citizens remember the fallen heroes at this time of the year, it is also important to note their contributions, as their sacrifices would all be in vain if the rights of the workers of today and their contributions are not honoured and respected.
Minister Lawrence also pointed out that she would be one of the first to admit that the working conditions across Guyana need to be improved in the general sense, and other areas which will see the workforce being a satisfied and comfortable one. She stressed that the improvement needs to be done urgently, and it should not only be restricted to emoluments but places of work and the services offered to the workers.
“Employees have an obligation to ensure that their workers are comfortable, safe and protected,” Minister Lawrence stated while noting the number of hours that persons spend at a workplace as compared to their own home.
“We cannot continue to demand higher levels of productivity and excellent performance if we do not match the demands with the conducive environments and necessary resources,” Lawrence added, while noting the need for proper work ethics as being critical to improving workers’ productivity.
Speaking specifically to union leaders, the Social Protection Minister also noted that it is important for workers to be happy whenever they leave home to go to work, and they should not just see the job as a tool to satisfy economic needs, but rather be duty-bound to perform to the best of their ability.

That, however, will only be achieved when workers are given the best, and they themselves will ensure that the best is given in return.
In closing, Minister Lawrence made reference to the numerous complaints coming to the ministry about the violations of the rights of workers every day, and while the government does not believe in the “big-stick” approach, strict measures and methods need to be adopted.

By Leroy Smith