…PM Nagamootoo urges in May Day message

AS Guyana faces the dreadful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, in his Labour Day message, has urged the working people of Guyana unite to beat the pandemic.

The Prime Minister said that although this year’s Labour Day celebrations have been cancelled and many work operations disrupted, workers still have a vital role to play in curbing the negative effects of the virus.

“Everywhere there have been cutbacks in hours of work, shut-down of factories, and closure of manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade. COVID-19 has grounded cruise ships and airlines, crippled hotels and restricted the entertainment and food services. This year, Labour Day celebrations have been cancelled, and a new shout for help, ‘May Day! May Day!’ is coming from workers around the world,” he said.

“Today, more than any time before, the slogan ‘workers of the world unite’ has assumed a new meaning, which is for survival against the onslaught of the pandemic and for protection of livelihood in the face of an inexorable melt-down of the world’s economy.”
He described the threat as the single greatest facing the nation. However, he stated that workers countrywide must help to beat the pandemic as there is much that citizens have worked for that is worth defending, with discipline and optimism.

The PM expressed his solidarity with dedicated medical and healthcare providers, members of the disciplined, sanitary, port health services, and all other frontline workers.
He assured them, stating “I want you to know that our government and our entire grateful nation appreciate your sacrifices and dedication as we together battle the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.”

Though the pandemic has rendered hundreds of millions jobless and the Caribbean has experienced a great blow with the impact on tourism, Guyana is hopeful that, as a country, it will contain the spread of the virus.

Nagamootoo said that this can be done through responsible conduct, by promoting the various health safety measures in place and by observing proper personal hygiene.
He also expressed that since taking office, the government has worked to meet the needs of workers and hopes that during this time of global troubles, persons will reflect on the past and future journey of workers in Guyana.

“Over the years our working people have seen important social gains. Though there were some setbacks, those in the public services received increased salaries, tax concessions and other incentives. They have had a glimpse of the good life under our Coalition Government, and were poised to benefit from our new petroleum industry,” he stated.
“Though the organised labour movement is unable this year to stage the traditional Labour Day parades, it is still a time for quiet reflection on the long journey of workers for industrial democracy, and for celebration of the many gains of the Guyanese working class.”