WE gather again not only to remember the Enmore Martyrs-Lallabaggie, Dookie, Rambarran, Harry and Pooran – but to deepen our resolve and straighten our backs to boldly move forward the cause that led to their martyrdom. The tragedy of 16th June, 1948 is at times circumscribed and described as an act of cut-and-load that led to workers’ deaths at the hands of the State police. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) wishes to contextualise this issue and lay bare the underlying factor of the cut-and-load matter which was merely the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The struggle of sugar workers in 1948 was one that was in pursuit of creating a just society, which includes the right to self-determination through joining a trade union of choice, that is, the right to freedom of association that would see workers’ involvement through their organisation in management and decision-making on matters that impact their wellbeing in the workplace and their communities. These freedoms and rights are enshrined in ILO conventions, United Nations Declarations and the Guyana Constitution.

1948 was the period when the trade union was the sole vanguard movement representing the masses’ desire for change in the political system in this country. In fact, there was no mass-based political party and the trade union carried the fight for workers and citizens to be treated justly by the employer and the Crown. This 20th century struggle which began in 1905 was led by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. Notably, the 1948 incident energised the establishment of the Political Affairs Committee in 1949 and in 1950 the People’s Progressive Party, Guyana’s first mass-based political party.

From the time of these martyrs this nation has seen the realisation of universal adult suffrage, that is one man one vote in time for the 1953 elections; has achieved the right to political self-determination with Independence on 26th May 1966 and Republican status on 23rd February 1970. Our country is named the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and so it must be recorded on all state documents.

According to the Guyana Constitution only a referendum can change the country’s name and this Administration is called on to ensure this country returns to the days when all official documents, including our passport, are inscribed the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Laws are sacred and the disregard for these during the Bharrat Jadgeo and Donald Ramotar Administrations must be in the past.

Ours is now the responsibility to make sure that we preserve and build on the martyrs’ legacy. We have laid wreaths in honour of these fallen comrades since 1976 through the initiative of the Guyana Trades Union Congress and a responsive Government under the leadership of Forbes Burnham. The establishment of this monument, which had the input of two of Guyana’s great sons, Dennis Williams and Stanley Greaves and commissioned in 1977, serves as a covenant to the workers and citizens of this country that never again this nation shall experience the state turning its guns on us in our pursuit of influencing and creating better working and living conditions.

In 1999 the state broke this covenant when Police turned their guns on striking public servants at John Fernandes Wharf. In 2012 the state repeated this heinous act on citizens in Linden. After being absent from this ceremony for 13 years, through no fault of ours, the Guyana Trades Union Congress has returned and this opportunity is taken to urge this Administration to hold this covenant in esteem.

For it not only serves as reminder of a heinous act but also marks a timeline in our history that saw the emergence of a political organisation whose leaders were elected by the people to represent and govern in the people’s interests. It also marks the representation of the people in the Executive and Legislature and cemented the conjoined relations of elected officials and trade union collaborating in the people’s interests.

And so here we are today- living in an era of representative democracy. As such the Guyana Trades Union Congress desires national policies be conceptualised, developed and implemented with the input of the people and representation of their interests. We have arrived at a critical juncture where the society finds acceptance in embracing concepts such as national unity, shared governance, inclusionary democracy and power sharing; the consequence of the desire to live in peace and harmony. However many still search for answers and need assurance that these systems are realisable and can work in their lifetime.

Inclusionary democracy is ensconced in the Guyana Constitution at Article 13 which is the result of the post 1997 elections struggles. Article 13 expressly states: -“The principal objective of the system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”

Also enshrined are Articles 149C and 38 outlining the place for and role of the trade union. The trade union is accordingly required to be involved in the management and decision-making processes of this nation, partner with Government and other socioeconomic organisations through sustained and disciplined endeavours to achieve the highest possible levels of production and productivity and to develop the economy. Obviously, when the framers were drafting these articles they did not lose sight of the historical development of this country and the role of the labour movement in advancing the struggles for equal rights and justice.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress wishes to have it recorded that we shall not abrogate our responsibility. We shall continue to take our place at the nation’s table. As Government and Opposition come and go, rest assured, like a fixed star, we shall be here. We shall continue to work with our members to optimise their performance and ensure they are justly treated; to agitate, advocate, overlook, partner with and hold public officials and employers accountable in our pursuit of a just society.

The fight started by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow in 1905 is not over. The need to preserve gains, ward against erosion of gains, deepen and strengthen rights and the rule of law requires eternal vigilance and sacrifices. On the matter of ministerial re-naming let me say publicly what was written to President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo: it is of concern to us the absence of the name “Labour” in the renaming of ministries. This is the first time in Guyana’s history of self-government Labour is not referenced, is apparently relegated. Further, Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean, probably the Western Hemisphere that does not have a ministry that carries the designated name “Labour.”

This country has the distinction of establishing the first trade union in the British Commonwealth and is home to the Father of Trade Unionism in Commonwealth, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. The important role Labour played in nation-building from 1905, including shaping the political landscape in 1926 among which included the struggles for self-government, the right of one man to one vote which opened doors for politicians to emerge from among the rank and file, the masses voting for them and thereby influencing the formation and management of their Government, none which can be denied. Without a doubt, Labour has blazed the trail for modern Guyana, paved the way for the politicians of today, earning its indelible place in our society, and as such the GTUC wishes to have this grave anomaly corrected.

With reference to shared governance it needs to be said that the Constitution in its present form makes provision for us to work towards achieving same. Since the promulgation of the constitution in 1980 there has been provision for a regional system of Government. Thirty-five years later Regional Government awaits legislations to strengthen its function and empower the people in the respective regions with the needed authority and autonomy to make decisions and implement them on their behalf in building their communities. Local Government, this third tier of shared governance, gives authority to the people in villages, districts and towns to come together and elect their representatives and develop their communities, but this right has been denied since 1997. The GTUC looks forward to this injustice being corrected soonest.

Consistent with the constitutionally protected right to self-determination, it is time the people at the Regional and Local Government levels be allowed to identify and elect their leaders, and Central Government partner with them to ensure that programmes are developed consistent with indigenous needs, inherent resources and the laws of the land. No more excuses from central authority to impose its will on the people in their districts. This abuse of power must end. It is time to advance the ball another step closure to the creation of a just society.

As we voted on 11th May on the promise of realising a Government of national unity and honouring inclusionary democracy, it is time Central Government work with the regions, inclusive of those won by the PPP in ensuring programmes to meet the people’s respective needs and aspirations. The realisation of these must come now, not held hostage to promise of constitutional reform, especially given that Articles 76 and 77 allow for action. Guyana’s only hindrance remains that of political will.

The argument to have all the political parties in the Executive is yet to be buttressed by assurance of who will stand with the people when their rights are being transgressed by the Government.

The results of the 2015 elections have indicated that the PPP’s place is to take the seats on the Opposition side in the National Assembly. Their present role is to constructively propose, oppose, support and keep the Executive accountable based on the constitution, laws, international charters and time-honoured principles. The PPP is called on to fulfil its responsibility to its supporters and society. Democracy works better when the system of checks and balance is functioning.

In the desire to have a society where all are treated justly, within recent time the call for a Bill of Rights to be placed in our Constitution is gaining currency. I suspect this call is informed by the first ten amendments in the USA Constitution which attends to Rights and Protections of the Individual. This opportunity is taken to remind Guyanese that our Constitution at Title I enshrines the “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.” What these 27 articles await are legislations to strengthen and safeguard them. In this regard Guyana can learn valuable lessons from the USA as to how they created laws, structures and institutions to protect the individual.

In closing, attention is turned to the sugar industry from whence the martyrs came and to whom today we pay homage. Sugar impacts every community on the coastland, from Parika to Crabwood Creek. This industry belongs to the people of this country and its present state requires non-partisan action at the Parliamentary level. We have a number of studies, writings and propositions by eminent citizens knowledgeable of the industry’s workings. It is time that action be taken.

This nation cannot wait another six months for ‘new’ findings through a Commission of Inquiry that would invariably confirm what is already known, while billions of taxpayers’ money are being pumped into this ailing institution at the expense of improving health, education, other needed infrastructures and the working conditions of public servants and teachers.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress believes that sugar must be tackled in a holistic manner taking into consideration the International Labour Organisation’s Core Labour Standards and the laws of the land. In fact, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) must be invited to be meaningfully involved in this process. And it is for this reason the Guyana Trades Union Congress has written to both organisations suggesting to them that we meet to discuss the industry and other matters pertaining to workers and citizens. If as a people we fail to do so we would be failing the martyrs.

Thank you and may God bless us all.
LINCOLN LEWIS
General Secretary, GTUC