– calls on gov’t to address workers’ concerns at rally

VETERAN Trade Unionist and General-Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, is calling on the government to address the concerns of workers and unions at the upcoming May 1 Labour Day rally at the National Park on Tuesday.
“May will be three years for the government, and I am expecting that a representative will come to address some of our concerns,” Lewis said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Some of the immediate concerns are good working conditions and better wages and salaries. And in an effort to ensure that those concerns are not overlooked, the organisers of the event have identified a straightforward theme, which is, “Advancing solidarity; promoting employment and decent work.”

Said Lewis, “This is not a show for a party; this is serious business, and we would be expecting that each speaker would also send a clear message to foreign investors who believe that Guyana is a destination for low wages and an opportunity to violate labour laws.”
The trade unionist said the unions will “spare no bone” in ensuring that employers and the government are made aware of concerns expressed by workers.
Workers will also be there to hear for themselves, the solutions and answers to some of their questions and concerns.

Union Organising Secretary Leslie Gonsalves, said they are looking forward to a turnout of about 4000-5000 people.

JOINT RALLY
The massive turnout is expected, because the GTUC was able to meet with the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and agree to a joint rally.
In 2016, the unions had agreed to have a joint rally for the first time in over 25 years. They have not looked back since, and have decided to have more cooperation within the trade union movement.

According to reports, the unions have come to realise that the issues being faced would be best addressed in a unified manner.

But while that unity has resulted in improvement in certain areas, Gonsalves said, there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed at the upcoming May Day Rally.
This year, as per normal, there will be a church service and wreath-laying ceremony today to commence Labour Week activities.

According to Gonsalves, the plans also remain the same for the “big day” on Tuesday, whereby persons will gather at the Parade Ground on lower Middle Street opposite the Promenade Gardens for 07:00hrs, after which they will march around the streets of Georgetown before heading to the National Park for the rally.