May Day Messages

May 01, 2011 News

Trades Union Congress

This Labour Day Guyanese must re-commit to the struggle for social and economic justice as began by our fore-parents.
Given what is taking place today it becomes opportune to assess the distance travelled, how much have been achieved, how much we have lost, and what it requires to achieve the creation of a just society.
106 years after National Hero, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, staged the first organised workers’ struggle for economic and social justice, laying the ground work for a succession of events to realise improved conditions in the workplace and wider society, such advancement can no longer be taken for granted.
For Critchlow and the labour community the battle cannot only be fought in the workplace, it also has to be fought wherever injustice exists.
Out of this conviction there have been many battles in the streets, legislature, with governing authorities and business interests to ensure the workers benefit from the fruits of their labour and the resources of the nation.
This relentless struggle achieved reduced work hours, improved working conditions, one man one vote, right to self determination, political independence, and bringing awareness of the intertwined relations of the worker-employer wellbeing, wherein when such is justly treated it rebounds to the development of people and society.
106 years after Critchlow’s first blow, as a people, the battle for basic rights should have ended in 1966, but since we are bearing witness to the daily erosion of the said rights, it is of import this battle continues until respect is secured, because ours is the responsibility to safeguard a future for our offspring, the way it was fought for and safeguarded for us by our fore-parents.
Fellow Guyanese it is time to intensify and unite around the struggle for our common good!

*******************

PNCR

On this anniversary of Workers’ Day in Guyana and in many other countries around the world, the People’s National Congress Reform takes this opportunity to salute working people everywhere as well as their organisations in the achievement of whatever gains they may have made during the past year.
A survey of the international labour scene points to increasing hostility by employers, both state and non-state towards organised labour with some anti-working class elements peddling the idea that trade unions have outlived their usefulness. This is a dangerous trend and must be resisted by workers and their unions by whatever means necessary.
In the circumstances, therefore, the PNCR urges the Trade Union movement in Guyana and the workers it represents to speak out boldly on this occasion for better wages and some form of cost of living allowance to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.
The Trade Union movement must also demand that the workers be empowered to cope with the ongoing global food crisis which has been recognised by the major international organisations, including the United Nations and which has already sparked riots in many countries.
Any action contemplated by the unions in Guyana must be premised on the need for Trade Union unity. Workers must, therefore, insist that the extended fracture in the Trade Union movement is not to their benefit, but rather, creates the conditions for the PPP/C Administration to keep Trade Unions weak, while carrying out an assault on them in the form of:
(i) Withdrawal of the subvention of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC).
(ii) Removal of the annual Parliamentary approved subvention for the Critchlow Labour College.
(iii) Arbitrarily, imposed salary increases well below the inflation rate.
(iv) Passing legislation designed to intimidate members of the labour movement and to undermine the internationally recognised trade union body, the GTUC, and have it replaced by the so-called Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG).
On this occasion therefore the PNCR recognises the critical role that Trade Unions have played in the political, economic and social development of the country and asserts that such a role can only continue if the Trade Union Movement as a hole remains united and protect the interests of the workers of this country.
Long Live Workers Solidarity! Happy May Day to all Workers!

*************************

PPP

The People’s Progressive Party salutes the working class of Guyana on the occasion of Labour Day 2011 and notes its fortitude, resilience and forward momentum.
The Party which is the foremost defender of the working class in Guyana, calls for much greater unity in the trade union movement where national issues affecting the workers are concerned. It takes this opportunity to urge the trade union movement to take forward strides in the best interest of its membership.
The PPP-Civic Government has from its historic inception on October 1992, been taking necessary and practical measures at governmental and other levels, in the best interest of workers of Guyana. These measures include:
1. Regular wage increases on an annual basis
2. Schemes for affordable housing throughout the nation
3. Smothering of escalating fuel prices to keep down the cost of living
4. Improvements in social services and the utilities
5. Overall improvements in health care and medical services
6. Zero tolerance to violent crimes, drug trafficking and domestic abuse
The Party takes the greatest pride in its stewardship of democracy and human rights; and in honouring and safeguarding the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana.
All in all, considering the time span from October 1992 to May 2011, the positions of the working class in Guyana have not regressed, but instead have showed vast improvements and a strong forward momentum.
The PPP-Civic states without any fear of reasonable contradiction that the future of the working class in Guyana is in good hands, where the PPP-Civic Government is concerned.