MEMBERS of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) braved the inclement weather in Georgetown, on Wednesday morning, to pay tribute to the fallen Enmore Martyrs with a simple wreath-laying ceremony at their Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown gravesite, in observance of the 73rd anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs shooting.

Those in attendance included Neil Kumar, representative of the General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and Sheila Mathura, General-Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), among other members of the party.

Also in attendance were Carvil Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG); Dharamkumar Seeraj, General-Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA); and Seepaul Narine, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

June 16, 2021 marked 73 years since Rambarran; Lall, called ‘Pooran’, Lallabagie Kissoon; Surujballi called ‘Dookie’ and Harry, who would become known as the ‘Enmore Martyrs’, were gunned down by Colonial Police in 1948 while on strike at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara, demanding better working conditions for sugar workers.

It is recorded that the strike started on April 22, 1948, with cane cutters, backed by the then Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), calling for the replacement of the “cut and load” system with a “cut and drop” system; they also demanded improved living conditions and better wages. Their strike received the support of the then Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

As the strike action continued, the recognised union of the day, the Manpower Citizens Association (MPCA) urged the striking workers to return to work, saying that negotiations for their demands will be taken up with the Sugar Producers Association (SPA).

On June 14, 1948, the SPA and the MPCA met to discuss the issues; however, no agreement was reached. Subsequently, on June 16, a large crowd of over 500 workers gathered outside the Enmore Estate factory in protest. The disgruntled workers attempted to enter the factory, when the policemen opened fire, causing the death of the five Enmore Martyrs and injuring 14 others.

On June 17, 1948, thousands of sugar workers, prominent labour unions and political leaders, including Dr. Cheddi Jagan, marched from Enmore, East Coast Demerara alongside the coffins of the slain sugar workers to the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

Kumar, who chaired Wednesday morning’s activity, told the Guyana Chronicle that consequent to the shooting, Dr. Cheddi Jagan founded the PPP/C and made a “silent pledge” to ensure that the rights of the working class citizens of Guyana are guaranteed; and that his pledge is still of paramount importance to the party, which continues to be executed through the current leadership.

The PPP/C, in their message on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs death, noted that the “struggles of the Enmore Martyrs and Dr. Jagan were guiding forces during that ominous period when thousands of sugar workers were coldheartedly fired and plunged into economic despair through the politically motivated closure of estates” by the previous administration.

Meanwhile, GAWU, in a statement on the occasion, noted that the “brutal repression of 1948 did not daunt the workers nor dampen their spirits” and recognised that while tribute is paid to the martyrs, reflection on the sugar industry “which has now received a new lease of life” must also be held.

“Following the change of government, we have seen focussed attention and support directed to reversing the fortunes of the beleaguered. The new administration has remained true to its commitment and is extending serious efforts to re-open the shuttered Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore estates,” the statement noted.