–labour movement leader says, affirms GAWU, FITUG commitment to continue working together for workers’ benefit
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), and Treasurer of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Seepaul Narine, on Friday, said that the face of Guyana is being remade with new roads, new bridges, new hospitals, and new schools.
He told workers at the conclusion of the May Day Rally in the National Park that they have given so much and deserve a share of the wealth they have created in our nation.
In his remarks, Narine told workers that GAWU must remain a constructive partner of the government. GAWU, he said, supports the government’s efforts in addressing issues affecting public sector workers, including nurses, teachers, police, and prison officers.
“The PPP/C is a government that has shown genuine partnership with labour. Do not take that for granted. We have worked together and we will continue to work together for the dignity and prosperity of every Guyanese worker,” he said.
Narine mentioned Guyana’s signing of its third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) last year, a tripartite commitment between governments, unions and employers. The programme promises stronger protection, expanded training, and a more formalised path to decent work for thousands of Guyanese who labour in the shadows of the informal economy.
The GAWU President stated that the government has taken meaningful steps to ease the burden on working families, to increase the income tax threshold to $140,000 per month and put more money in the hands of Guyanese.
He recalled the expansion of part-time work for old-age pensioners, which allows our seniors to remain active and supplement their income with dignity.
Aside from this, Narine highlighted the challenges that remain, with the aim of finding solutions to these challenges together.
He stated that the cost of living continues to pressure families, and while wages have risen, and taxes are reduced, prices for food, rent, transportation and utilities have risen. While he acknowledged that this is not a problem that is unique to Guyana, Narine believes that with continued partnership more could be done.
He recommended a continued review of the national minimum wage that reflects the true cost of a dignified life; enhanced price monitoring and targeted relief for basic food items; and accelerated affordable housing for low-income workers.
“These are not demands. These are proposals from a party in the trade union movement. GAWU sits on the same side of the government, the side that wishes every Guyanese to live well and better,” Narine assured.
Continuing along, Narine mentioned that GAWU celebrated 50 years of historic recognition in the sugar industry, which represents five decades of outstanding form when others would have liked the union to bend.
Fifty years of fighting for justice, and quality for workers and sugar estates, of burying fallen comrades and raising new leaders.
“That golden jubilee was not a celebration of GAWU alone. It was a celebration of every worker who never gave up,” the GAWU head said.
He spoke about GAWU’s successful achievement of securing an industry minimum wage of $100,000 per month from January 1, 2025. This agreement places billions of Guyanese dollars back in the hands of sugar workers and their families. This he said proves a simple truth, that when workers are united, stand together, and fight together, they win together.
