THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), two of the leading voices of nation’s workers, will once again observe Labour Day 2019 under one banner.

In keeping with tradition, Labour Day will be celebrated with a march that commences at the Parade Ground, winding its way through several streets of the City to the National Park where a joint rally will be held, the unions confirmed in a statement.
Speakers from both the FITUG and the GTUC are in the line up to address the hundreds of workers who will converge at the National Park.

“Our trade union bodies are again heartened to celebrate Labour Day – a day with a history filled with landmark events, sacrifices and victories for the working-people. This day will be celebrated in an atmosphere of unity and togetherness,” the unions said in a joint statement.

They said the unification augurs well for Guyana’s workers, and the country as a whole. “In more recent times, our bodies have heightened our co-operation and collaboration in the interest of the nation’s workers. Our speaking with one voice not-too-long ago on the struggles of the bauxite workers and then before on the battle of the nation’s teachers, saw those contingents of the working-class attaining their reasonable and justifiable demands. Indeed, we go forward in the future optimistic that the bonds we have developed will be consolidated,” they stated.

This year’s Labour Day March is being commemorated under the theme “A long journey for Social Justice – Together we can achieve”. Today, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Public Buildings from 16:00hrs.

On Wednesday May 1, 2019, the march will move off from Parade Ground at 08:00hrs. The rally will follow at the National Park at 11:00hrs.

“Labour Day, this year, for us, has taken on even greater importance as we observe the centennial anniversary of the Trade Union Ordinance of British Guiana, which allowed for trade unions to be registered as legal entities. We will recognise that over the last one hundred years, the working people have realised several successes in their march towards betterment and social justice.

Today, though pleased about those worthwhile and notable developments, our movement cannot ignore, at the same time, that challenges have appeared and attempts, whether below the surface or otherwise, are being furthered to roll back the real triumphs of our nation’s workers. Undoubtedly, the need for solidarity cannot be underscored at this time as we seek to advance the just causes of our workers,” the unions stated.

Preceding the Labour Day activity, the Trade Union Movement will pay tribute to the Father of Trade Unionism, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. As done in the past, the movement will gather on Sunday, April 28, 2019 to lay wreaths at the statue of Critchlow at the Public Buildings. “Our bodies will also pay tribute to the yeoman work of Critchlow who, history has recorded, faced great adversity and daunting challenges in his efforts to establish the first workers organisation in the British Colonial Empire,” they stated.