–GAWU

AS Guyana observes 55 years as an Independent State, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to join with all Guyanese to celebrate this exciting landmark anniversary in our history. We need to recall at this time that there was near absolute consensus amongst our then leaders that we needed to shed the constitutional and other chains with which we were then wrapped. Independence brought us, and we joyfully welcomed, our new status as citizens of Guyana, no longer colonial subjects tied to a “mother” country. It also brought heavy responsibilities for a free and prosperous future. The onus was now ours to chart our own course, and it was recognised that national Independence needed to be strengthened by economic Independence and social justice. Those objectives had to be attained and sustained.

GAWU feels certain that our Independence, which we fought for, is an attainment to be cherished, and will be cherished by coming generations too. Since Independence, we have moved forward. There are successes in several fields nationally, and at the international level, our country has earned recognition and respect, especially when it took principled and laudable stance on issues that are of concern to humanity. That respect was surely strengthened with the resurfacing of our democratic culture over 20 years ago, and which we saw a year ago faced serious attempts of destabilisation. Though disheartened by the nefarious efforts of a few, we are heartened by the expressions of our people to protect and consolidate our democratic foundation. Today, our union stands in support of reforms that will enhance our democracy in our people’s interest and well-being.

As an independent nation we have faced trials and setbacks of one kind or another, punctuated by periods of marking time, economic and social decline at the same time we recognise there have been very many significant achievements in our endeavours to overcome the negative legacy of colonialism, and fulfill our development obligations. Today, Independent Guyana is poised for further advancement. We recognise the serious efforts to further develop and enhance the people’s standard-of-living. We laud such efforts, and look forward in the coming years of independence to Guyana unlocking its true potential, and our people enjoying a life they truly deserve. Apart from the question of economic and social advancement, we hold there is need to strike an ecological balance. On this score, we have seen the development argument advanced. Such contentions cognisant of the setbacks we faced have some merit. We nonetheless charge that we need to ensure that there is every effort to ensure that our environment is preserved for current and future generations.

The prospects for our country to grow and develop remain encouraging, and we need to tackle the various tasks before us in a collective and united spirit. In this respect, acts and obstacles that tend to undermine our still fragile democracy should be discontinued; measures that bring hardships on working people should be frowned upon, and our people, especially our working people, need to become involved in the decision-making process at various levels of our society. As we celebrate this historic anniversary, GAWU urges that we all recognise that we have a responsibility to build our nation, to make great efforts to realise enduring national unity, and strengthen the strands that bind our nation. We must be justly proud of our well-deserved freedom, and it must also be a joy for all our people.   At the same time, let us on this 55th anniversary remember the struggles associated with the fight against colonialism, and these organisations and outstanding leaders who were at the front of those history making efforts.