…Minister Greenidge urges at Rose Hall Martyrs observance

A high-level team from Government, yesterday (Wednesday, March 13, 2019), led in paying tribute to the 15 sugar workers who were killed by colonial Police on March 13, 1913, in Rose Hall.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and First Vice President, Carl Greenidge; Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Karen Cummings and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, were in attendance.

Minister Greenidge, who is also performing duties of Prime Minister, in delivering the feature address, stated that the struggle of those fifteen sugar workers was a struggle that ultimately resulted in better conditions, better pay and respect for the rights of workers, not only in Rose Hall but workers across all of Guyana. “Today, 106 years later, this monument that is here should constitute a reminder to future generations of the sacrifices that are necessary if freedom is to be achieved, and, more importantly, it is a reminder that freedom, once achieved, has to be safeguarded by those who wish to enjoy the freedom by being alert and defending the freedom…”

Minister Greenidge pledged that the Coalition Government will continue to honour the sacrifice of the martyrs, by continuing to fight for workers’ rights across this great nation, with the same passion and unity, that the fifteen displayed in 1913. He stated that the resilience and industry of Rose Hall rest on historic foundations and had emerged even stronger and now considered a model of community development in Guyana. He further reminded those present to be mindful of the sacrifices made and seek to pursue goals not for one but goals that enhance the wellbeing of all.

“106 years after that incident, our battles have not all been won, they are not all afforded the same chances to which we might aspire, such as maintaining or ensuring a sound education , equal opportunities to employment, opportunities to enhance wellbeing of our children…we are much closer today than we were then and in our march towards a brighter future and as we face whatever challenges may emerge I think we must remember those Rose Hall Martyrs who endured
unimaginable hardships and we must be inspired by their sacrifices and the example that they set”

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, echoed similar sentiments as Minister Greenidge and called on the audience to keep the memories of the struggles their fore-parents made fresh in their minds as they serve as reminders of the things that are taken for granted. “It is important that we recognize and remember their struggles and how far we have come since then. 106 years after we are still in a situation where workers will still have to stand up for their rights. Recently with Rose Hall, the sugar industry, and many other places, workers will still have to continue to fight against injustices.

Here is Rose Hall. We must not allow the sacrifice of our fore-parents to just go away like that, we ourselves must be able to emulate their struggle and we must stand up against injustice wherever it exists.” On March 13, 1913, fifteen sugar workers namely: Motey Khan, Sohan, Bholay, Hulas, Badri, Jugai, Sadula, Sarjoo, Durga, Lalji, Gafur, Roopan, Juggoo, Nibur and Gobindai, the lone female, were shot and killed by colonial police, after they decided to stand up for their rights, after being denied their days off that they earned.