IT has been over seven decades since the shooting to death of five sugar workers at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. To be precise, it’s 73 years since Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry, paid the ultimate price in 1948 while struggling for better working conditions for sugar workers. June 16 will always evoke memories of their selflessness and a very sad page in the annals of our nation’s history. They have been deservedly elevated to the status of martyrs given that their ultimate sacrifices were generally for the betterment of others and, by extension, the country as a whole. In reflecting upon their lives and struggles, one should not lose sight of the fact that, at the time, social and economic conditions were appalling and workers were burdened by poor wages and living conditions on the estates.
In addition, the workers had desired to be represented by the then, Guyana Industrial Workers Union, (GIWU). Wanting a union of their choice, better pay and working conditions were deemed justifiable; hence, the strike action in 1948.

The context of what transpired then must not be forgotten. The five were representative of ordinary workers who stood up for their rights and what they believed in. More so, they were very cognisant that their efforts and sweat were significant in helping to enrich the colonial masters who seemed unconcerned over the difficulties the workers faced.
That, in itself, must have had a significant impact on their mindsets and morale given that their own advancement was stymied despite toiling arduously in the back-breaking task of cutting cane. That, more than likely, would have further compelled the industrial action they took, and rightfully so. To therefore lose their lives in that just cause, is callous and beyond tragic.
Their deaths were also significant for another reason; profoundly impacting a then young Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Having already established the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which supported the industrial action, Dr. Jagan, his wife Janet and others, helped to raise much needed funds to assist the workers and their families.

In addition, Dr. Jagan was so touched by the deaths of the five workers, it is reported that on the day of the funerals, he made a silent pledge to dedicate his life to champion their cause and better the lives of Guyanese. That pledge was momentous, for Dr. Jagan stayed true to his words and relentlessly led the struggles for workers’ rights and an independent Guyana.
Having founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950, he, along with his wife and others, paid the price of incarceration in the process of advancing the cause of Guyana and Guyanese. In 1992, those efforts eventually bore fruit, as democracy was returned and Dr. Jagan sworn in as Guyana’s third Executive President. That was also momentous.
Just prior to the no-confidence motion (NCM) in December 2018 to August 02, 2020, our democracy was tested by a deluge of unconstitutionality by the APNU+AFC Coalition government. As a result of their blatant attempts to subvert the will of the Guyanese people, the PPP/C, through its General-Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, led the struggles to safeguard our freedoms and to prevent the imposition of a dictatorship.

It should be noted that during its tenure, the APNU+AFC government made the callous decision to close a number of sugar estates, thereby decimating the livelihoods of thousands, with telling social impact. While the situation may have been different from 1948, sugar workers were once again forced to endure the devastation of a decision that impacted negatively on their welfare and livelihoods.
Their valiant efforts to resist that imposition and the struggles to preserve our democracy last year, might have been a resulting inspiration by the actions of the Enmore Martyrs, their co-workers and that of Dr. Jagan. That speaks to not only a beacon of strength to draw from, but a lasting legacy of selfless actions and sacrifices for the betterment of others. That epitomises the Enmore Martyrs.