Today, as we observe Labour Day 2026, we pause not only to celebrate, but to reflect. This is a day rooted in struggle, shaped by sacrifice, and sustained by the enduring spirit of working people. It is a day that reminds us that the rights we enjoy were neither easily won nor freely given, they were fought for, organised for, and demanded by generations who believed in dignity, fairness, and justice.

 

In Guyana, the story of labour is a powerful one. It is a story that begins, in a formal sense, in 1919 with the establishment of the British Guiana Labour Union, which was the first trade union in the British Commonwealth. That moment marked more than the formation of an organisation; it marked the culmination of the awakening of a collective consciousness among workers born decades before. It signalled that the voices of labour would no longer be silenced or ignored.

 

That spirit of resistance and organisation intensified in the decades that followed, culminating in one of the most defining moments in our national history, the 1948 Enmore Martyrs struggle. The courage and sacrifice of those five sugar workers did more than demand better conditions, it ignited a broader movement for justice and self-determination. Their stand became a catalyst for our country’s journey to end colonial rule and the birth of a new independent nation, Guyana. Their legacy lives on in every effort we make to uphold the dignity of labour.

 

These historic struggles have shaped not only our past but also our present

approach to labour relations. Out of conflict emerged a commitment, one grounded

in social dialogue. Today, Guyana stands firmly on the principle that progress is best

achieved through collaboration and cooperation among trade unions, employers,

and government. This tripartite approach is not merely a framework, it is a

philosophy that recognises that each partner has a vital role to play in building a fair,

just and productive society.

 

As Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, I reaffirm our Ministry’s unwavering

commitment to fostering this spirit of dialogue. We recognise the essential role of

bona fide trade unions in representing workers, advocating for their rights, and

contributing to national development. We are committed to working alongside these

unions, through engaging meaningfully, listening actively, and acting decisively to

address the concerns of workers across all sectors.

 

Central to our mission is the promotion of decent and productive work for all

Guyanese. This commitment has been further strengthened through the recent

signing of the 2025–2030 Decent Work Country Programme. This important

agreement, forged in partnership with our social partners and the International

Labour Organisation, outlines a shared vision for improving labour standards,

expanding opportunities, and ensuring that economic growth translates into real

benefits for working people.

 

But commitments must be matched by action. Over the past year, the Ministry has

intensified its efforts to protect workers and uphold labour laws. I am proud to

report that we have completed over 1,400 workplace inspections to date. These

inspections are not mere formalities, they are critical tools for ensuring compliance,

identifying risks and safeguarding the wellbeing of workers.

 

Moreover, through our interventions, we have successfully recovered approximately

twenty-eight million dollars owed to workers. These are not just figures, they

represent wages rightfully earned, families supported, and justice delivered. Each

case resolved is a reaffirmation that the rights of workers matter and that those

rights will be defended.

 

We have also taken deliberate steps to make the Ministry more accessible and

efficient. By embracing technology and modernising our systems, we are improving

how workers and employers interact with our services. Whether it is filing

complaints, accessing information, or seeking guidance, our goal is to ensure that

the Ministry is responsive, transparent, and user-friendly.

 

At the same time, we are strengthening our internal capacity to resolve disputes

more effectively. We understand that timely resolution is essential, not only for

maintaining industrial harmony but also for protecting livelihoods. Our officers are

working diligently to mediate conflicts, facilitate dialogue, and achieve fair

outcomes.

 

On this Labour Day, I want to reiterate a fundamental principle: workers’ rights are

human rights. Every worker in Guyana has the right to fair wages, safe working

conditions, freedom of association, and protection from discrimination and

exploitation. These rights are not negotiable; they are enshrined in our laws and

upheld by this Ministry and President Ali’s Government of Guyana.

 

We also recognise that the world of work is rapidly evolving. New industries are

emerging, new technologies are transforming how we work, and global challenges

are reshaping labour markets. In this changing landscape, our responsibility is clear:

we must ensure that progress does not come at the expense of people. We must

equip our workforce with the skills needed to meet these changes and challenges,

and to continue to thrive, while ensuring that protections keep pace with change.

 

Guyana too is rapidly modernising with the President’s introduction of the “orange”

economy and “care” economy into our transformational development agenda. The

emerging opportunities are enormous for greater innovation, new skills, new job

opportunities and a new way of conducting our business as a nation.

 

To our workers, your contributions are the backbone of our transformative and

rapidly expanding economy. Whether you are in agriculture, mining, construction,

services, public  sector or the emerging sectors driving our growth, our work force

fuels the speed at which our nation transforms and progresses. Your resilience,

adaptability, and commitment to change and progress will only bring greater

benefits to you and your families.

 

We are proud to acknowledge our women workers in particular who dominate the

public service, the education and health sectors and who are entering in greater

numbers the traditionally male dominated skills areas.  However, they have not

broken the glass ceiling as yet in regard to comparable numbers in the leadership of

the unions. We encourage our women workers to take on this challenge.

 

To our trade unions, your advocacy remains essential. You are the voice of workers,

the guardians of their rights, and key partners in national development. We value

your role and remain committed to strengthening our collaboration in a mutually

respectful and beneficial manner.

 

To our employers, you are critical to the  diversification and expansion of our

economy with greater job opportunities and distribution of wealth in the society. We

encourage you to continue fostering workplaces that respect rights, promote

fairness, and safe environments and invest in workers’ skills and opportunities to

advance.

 

And to all Guyanese, Labour Day is a shared celebration. It is a reminder that when

we work together, guided by mutual respect and a common purpose, we can build a

society that is just, inclusive, and prosperous.

 

As we honour the struggles of the past, let us also embrace the responsibilities of the

present. Let us deepen our commitment to dialogue, strengthen our institutions, and

ensure that every worker is treated with dignity.

 

The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning stands ready; ready to protect,

ready to engage, and ready to advance the rights and wellbeing of all workers in

Guyana.

 

Happy Labour Day, and may we continue to move forward, together.