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Jul 07, 2014 News
Guyana Trades Union Congress
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) joins with our peoples, local and regional, in celebrating the 41st Anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Reaching this milestone has not been without challenges, setbacks and achievements, all of which the Region’s peoples must evaluate as we move forward. CARICOM today stands on the shoulders of men and women who from the days of enslavement fought for the fundamental rights to equality, dignity and self-determination. Our forebears recognised the struggle for liberty and empowerment lies through forging ties built on the oneness of strength and purpose, which continues to serve the Region well.
In 1926 when the Labour leaders, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and others met in Georgetown in the hallowed halls of the Legislature they marked the first show in the early 20th century to make the aspirations of theirs and their forebears possible. These leaders committed, among other things to chart a course for the Caribbean’s peoples; realise minimum wage legislation; forty-four hour week; old age pension; national health insurance and sickness benefits; federation; universal adult suffrage; free compulsory primary education; nationalisation; state ownership of public utilities; cooperative marketing of agriculture produce; Workmen’s Compensation; a standard eight- hour working day; the abolition of child labour; prison reform, peremptory challenge to jury and the abolition of the Special Jury.
When the Caribbean Congress of Labour was founded in 1960 it worked with the regional political establishment and civil society to make real the ground work laid by predecessors.
Another wave of leaders came in the 1940-70s and realised the West Indian Federation in 1958, though short lived (disbanded in 1962), it worked to make real the above mentioned. This was later followed in 1965 by the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) founded by Forbes Burnham (Guyana), Vere Bird (Antigua and Barbuda), Errol Barrow (Barbados) and Eric Williams (Trinidad and Tobago). Another milestone was achieved in 1973 by Forbes Burnham (Guyana), Errol Barrow (Barbados), Eric Williams (Trinidad) and Michael Manley (Jamaica), who were the Founding Fathers of CARICOM.
Today CARICOM has within its fold 15 Member-States and five Associate Members. The peoples of the Region can also lay proud claim to the Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) which includes free movement of skills, Decent Work Agenda, CARICOM Charter of Civil Society, Caribbean Court of Justice, Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, universal education, the Caribbean Examination Council, to name some. The people of the region have come a far way, but still has a far way to go. As we celebrate yet another milestone in the march for self-determination, equality and dignity, it becomes over important to as we mark our achievements we also address perceptions that CARICOM is not serving its people, and the prevailing hopelessness among one of our most vulnerable group, the youth. Our regional governments must also re-commit to making real the dreams of their predecessors and the desires of the peoples they are elected to serve.
Onward upward may we, as a people, ever grow!
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People’s National Congress Reform
On this the 41ST Anniversary of the Regional Integration Movement, the People’s National Congress Reform extends warm congratulations to the peoples of the Caribbean Community, the staff of the Community Secretariat and to the Guyanese people, for a happy and meaningful CARICOM Day 2014.
Our Party trusts that, even as we celebrate this occasion, we will all continue to commit ourselves to the strengthening and advancement of our common Caribbean home.
The PNCR recognises that, within recent times, the integration process has been subject to very testing times, including the impact of the global economic and financial crisis, which have resulted in new and additional challenges for the integration process. It is not surprising, therefore, that important components of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) have come under critical scrutiny and challenge. Trade frictions have emerged among important and significant states of the Community. Across the region there seems to be a renewed questioning of the integration process itself.
The PNCR, which has played a pivotal role in promoting and sustaining the movement for the development of a common Caribbean identity and a strong Regional Economy, is familiar with the vicissitudes which have tested the resolve and commitment of the Leaders of the Community. The integration process has been challenged before, in various ways, but it has survived them and, as a result, is today one of the oldest integration movements in the world.
The PNCR would never lose faith in the resilience of the community, despite these trials. We reaffirm our commitment to the integration process and our Caribbean leaders, in the confident expectation that all obstacles and challenges will be overcome, so that the Community will be enabled to play an even greater role in the lives of all of the citizens of this our Caribbean Region.
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