THE GUYANA Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes the opportunity on CARICOM Day to acknowledge the importance of CARICOM to our Caribbean region, especially with respect to unity of our countries.
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) which now stretches from the Bahamas, in the north, to Guyana and Surname, in the south, and encompassing some 14 million people demonstrates the growth and enduring fraternity we have experienced since its establishment. This Institution now in its forty-fourth (44th) year, in our view, continues to have a relevant role with respect to the integration of the Caribbean and also to confront the several challenges that currently beset our Region and still others that threaten us.

We are also of the view that two (2) of CARICOM’s important pillars – the free movement of people and unhindered trade among members – at this time require more attention. We do expect that these will be among the issues that will engage the Heads of Government at their meeting in Georgetown, Guyana at this time.
GAWU feels that this day provides Heads of Government another opportunity to express their determination to ensure that the Caribbean must remain a ‘Zone of Peace’.

It should be recalled that in 2014 a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), an organisation in which CARICOM nations are members, there was the declaration for Latin America and the Caribbean to be a “Zone of Peace”. In keeping with this sentiment it is implied and expected that disputes should be peacefully resolved and dialogue and negotiations be the preferred tools to arrive at settlement of disputes between and among nations. In our contemporary complex and complicated international situation, such a resolve becomes increasingly important.

Though we have many serious issues – economic, security, employment, climate, democratic and yet others including our unity – that require our collective attention and co-operation, the GAWU looks at the future of our Region with optimism. Gradually, but surely, we are forging ahead and all the while essentially we have stayed united. The unity established and which has endured for over four (4) decades is itself an achievement. It offers a sound basis by which we can strengthen our co-operation and integration and advance steadily the rights of our people, their prosperity and development of our countries.

Happy CARICOM Day 2017 to all
* Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)