Labour Day Messages

May 01, 2014 News

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People’s National Congress Reform

May Day is a special occasion for the Labour Movement and Workers in Guyana. It is a time when they should be able to celebrate the consolidation of their rights, increased wages and benefits, improved working conditions, the protection of pension rights and the general progress of the labour movement. Unfortunately, on May Day 2014, Guyanese workers are forced to lament the absence of any such gains.
As a consequence of the anti working class policies of the PPP/C Administration, even before the advent of the global economic events, Guyanese workers have been caught up in a vicious struggle to survive and ensure their material betterment. Indeed, with the introduction of the unconscionable 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2007, the cost of living in Guyana spiked, considerably undermining the ability of our workers to provide for their families and sustain themselves.
Guyanese workers must be consciously aware of the current fragile state of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which has resulted from the accumulated mismanagement and manipulation by the acolytes of the PPP/C Administration.
In all of the adverse prevailing circumstances which confront the Trade Union Movement, particularly the Public Servants, careful attention should be paid to the intransigence and stubborn refusal of the Donald Ramotar PPP/C Administration to:
-Reduce the VAT by 2%;
-Increase Public Servant emoluments by 10% across-the board while committing to the effective re-establishment of normal Collective  Bargaining negotiations;
-Implement the various proposals and recommendations for the reform and modernisation of the Public Service.
-Halt the blatant misuse of the device of Contract workers to bypass the rules established by the Public Service Commission and to undermine the GPSU;
-Increasing the pensionable age for Public Servants to 65 years;
-Reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll to $1,000.00;
-Commit to the pursuit of an action programme which would restore the long term viability of the NIS; and
-Ensure that the financial assets of the nation, which are being abused through NICIL, to bypass scrutiny by and accountability to the National Assembly, are transferred to the Consolidated Fund.
On the occasion of May Day 2014, therefore, the PNCR recognises the critical role that Trade Unions have played in the political, economic and social development of the country and urge the Movement to remember that such a role can only continue if the Trade Union Movement, as a whole, remains united to protect the interests of all Guyanese workers.
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People’s Progressive Party/Civic

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes all workers on the occasion of International Labour Day.
The PPP calls on all Guyanese to use this occasion to reflect on how far we have advanced in Guyana in terms of working class unity and the economic and social gains we have made over the years. As a party that originated out of the bowels of the working class struggles, the PPP has always embraced a working class orientation.
It would be recalled that one of the first actions taken by the PPP government after it won power in the elections of 1953 was to enact the Labour Relations Bill which ultimately led to the suspension of the constitution by the British Government and the eviction from office of the PPP Government after a mere 133 days in office. It took the return of the PPP to power after twenty-eight years of PNC dictatorial rule before the Bill was finally passed and enacted.
The PPP takes this opportunity to call on all workers not to allow themselves to be fooled by those who profess to have their interests at heart but who are doing everything in their power to undermine the economic well being and unity of the workers.
Moreover, the Party’s record of granting annual increases to workers thus improving real wages has suppressed the expectations of our critics and has not been matched by the undemocratic forces which misrule Guyana for the period 1964 to 1992.
The PPP takes this opportunity to commend the PPP/C administration for the several measures it has taken over the years to protect the working and living conditions of workers especially at a time when the working class in other parts of the capitalist world are reeling under the impact of a severe economic and social crisis.
Long Live the unity of workers in Guyana!
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism!

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Guyana Public Service Union

The 1st May symbolizes the culmination of the struggle of workers International. Today, the Workers Day, May Day is as relevant as ever and an enhanced celebration internationally. After many years of challenges and sacrifices the Trade Union Movement continues to fight for fundamental freedom and rights at work. It seems as though what was gained by our forefathers many years ago are slipping from us. Many employers’ particularly Governments are now challenging the hard won legal rights of workers. The Government of Guyana, is one such employer that displays these anti-working class tendencies regularly. At the same time masquerades as having working class credentials and pretends to be genuinely concerned about the plight of workers and being committed to improving their conditions of work and quality of life.
Among our concerns four (4) major urgent factors are:
1.      Income inequality
2.      Income insufficiency
3.      Poverty
4.      Job insecurity
With respect to income inequality and income insufficiency there exit significant income inequality in the work environment and wide spread income insufficiency to the extent that families have to skip meals because of the economic plight they are confronted with. They are neglected by an uncaring Government who in addition to their adverse economic situation, are exploited by depleting the pittance they earn by ruthless taxation to benefit their special interest relationships and themselves.
Poverty is increasing and security of tenure and authentic superannuation benefits are being undermined and miniaturized with the ongoing practice of filling permanent pensionable positions with contract employment in the Public Service.
This callous and unwarranted treatment of the nation’s workers must be confronted and conquered. However, to achieve this working class unity is essential at every level. In general as workers and Unions we must all set aside petty differences and join hands together once more to achieve this goal.
As Public Servants this must be the year when we unite, stand up and demand our rights.
Public servants possess tremendous clout and power to bring about positive change in our society. Therefore lets us march on this day together to be in the vanguard to liberate our nation from the scourges of crime, poverty and unemployment.
Happy May Day to all Law abiding and harmonious citizens of Guyana.

 Ministry of Education
As we celebrate workers of all classes in our society today, we at the Ministry of Education salute and celebrate our hard working and dedicated teachers and administrative staff who work ardently everyday to shape the young minds and the future of Guyana. There are no set of words that can amply describe the importance of teachers in any society. The teaching profession is regarded worldwide as the mother of all professions, since it provides the foundation for learning in an individual, upon which all greater academic achievement rests. In other words teachers are the crucial guardians of intellectual life in any society. The Government of Guyana recognizes this, and has always placed great value on our teachers. And we have matched that value with real actions within the last two decades, which has significantly improved the quality of life for our teachers.
We look forward to the continued support of the Guyana Teachers Union as we work together to better the working conditions of our teachers. The Ministry of Education remains committed to improving the quality of teacher education in Guyana and ultimately the quality of teachers we place in the education system. Education is one of our nation’s biggest industries, and we as a government will continue to invest in it so that we can raise better generations of Guyanese citizens.
May God bless our teachers and out nation.

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