HAPPY LABOUR DAY TO ALL OF GUYANA!

May 01, 2018 News

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Today, we at Kaieteur News join the working class of our nation to observe Labour Day, a day set aside to truly recognise their contributions.

Also standing in solidarity with the workers of our nation are the following organisations:

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) joins all Guyanese workers in celebrating Labour Day 2018. This is usually the occasion when the workers of the world and the organisations, which represent them, take stock of their situations and conditions and resolve to take strong and determined actions to ensure that their gains are preserved, and that the fight continues for a better future.
On this occasion, 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 whole remains united and protect the interests of the workers of this country. The Party also admonishes the Trade Union Movement to recognise that the current era demands that Trade Unions must make necessary adjustments to cope with the existing and emerging challenges, so that they can survive and remain relevant.
The PNCR salutes the workers of this nation as we work together to create a more cohesive and prosperous Guyana where all can achieve the promised “good life.” The PNCR asserts that such a society can only come about if the Trade Union Movement as a whole is united and protect the interests of the workers of this country.
The PNCR started as a working-class Party and will never give up fighting for the workers. The PNCR most of all remains committed to achieving national unity and to building bridges to all communities, organisations and groups which are interested in the well-being of our citizens and the progress of our country.
Solidarity forever!

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY FOR LABOUR DAY 2018
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend warmest greetings to all categories of workers and labour leaders throughout the nation on this the occasion of International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, as it is commonly known here.
This significant day, which celebrates the important resource of human labour, allows for workers to rally in solidarity with each other and to further highlight their invaluable contributions to development to Guyana, as well as highlight their gains and challenges in their quest for advancement.
The contributions of workers, which have been the bedrock towards the many struggles for the betterment of lives of our countrymen and women, sometimes go unheralded. Had it not been for their selfless efforts, it would have become difficult for our achievements over time.
The PPP therefore salutes their resoluteness, dedication, innovativeness and forthrightness for the hard work and sacrifices they continue to perform and make each day for their families and all the people of our country.
Our Party is not oblivious of the numerous burdens they are now made to carry; as a result of the inept management of the national economy and the harsh measures meted out to them. With the implementation of a plethora of new taxes, a contracting economy and rising costs of living, our nation’s workers are now made to experience tremendous difficulties to provide for their families.
This harrowing situation is even more heart-wrenching for the thousands of sugar workers who lost their jobs following the callous closure of some estates. The economic hardships that they are now saddled with have led to them being humiliated and an exacerbation of social ills with numerous negative impacts.
As workers march in solidarity on this Labour Day, their plight and that of their compatriots will no doubt be foremost through their voices. The PPP will continue to stand in solidarity with workers in every stratum in our society and to robustly and fearlessly represent their cause.
The PPP, mindful of the difficulties that our workers are now enduring, hopes that in some way, the observances of this May Day will be rewarding.
Once again best wishes to our workers on this their day.
People’s Progressive Party

GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
As we celebrate Labour Day 2018, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to extend militant greetings to all our workers, indeed, to all Guyanese. Labour Day is one of the few holidays observed internationally and is always a reminder of those of the working-class who have made invaluable contributions to better workers lives. It is also the occasion for the working-class to acknowledge its common objectives and recognize the need for solidarity in their ever-sharpening struggles for a peaceful world and a better life.
Our Union is pleased to take part in this year’s activities, which are being held unitedly by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC). The main rally in the city is one of the several activities, which have resulted from the improved collaboration and co-operation between the two (2) workers’ bodies. We are optimistic that this positive development in the relations between FITUG and the GTUC will be strengthened in the period ahead.
Labour Day offers another appropriate occasion to express our concerns over some policies being pursued of recent and their effects on the working people of the country. Here we refer to the uncalled cessation of the Education Grant to school children; the removal of subsidies from Old Aged Pensioners; the significant increases in licences and other fees; the increase in certain taxes as well as the introduction of new taxes. These and other things should be reviewed with a view to restore those benefits and rescind those measures, which will certainly further raise the cost-of-living.
As we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of workers, we cannot fail to take note of the state our workers find themselves in today. From the recently released Guyana Labour Force Survey, we see a very discouraging picture. Apart from telling us that less than half of the working-age population is actually employed, it provided some very worrying statistics concerning youth and female unemployment and the disparity in earnings between men and women. For us, it is very vexing that notwithstanding a national 40-hour work week, workers are working beyond the stipulated time which serves to indicate that low rates-of-pay are being offered and the workers must work the extra hours in order to make ends meet.
The report also pointed out that about 50 percent of those employees who work in the informal sector. The ILO has generally warned that such situations should not be encouraged as workers tend to be exploited and such precarious forms of employment tend to lend to increased impoverishment. On this score, we were very surprised, and at the same time upset, to learn that 8.8 percent of public sector employees appear to have an informal job. If this is indeed the reality, it is sad that our Government is encouraging such employment relations and should take every step to formalize the situation.
The Trade Union Movement, indeed, the working-class and other working people have a number of matters to reflect on, discuss and seek to resolve. With the unity being enforced, we are optimistic that we can give, in a principled way, the necessary leadership to meet the challenges before us.
The GAWU is sure, that together, in our unity, we can overcome obstacles in our way and the Trade Unions can make a major contribution towards a new day and a better society for our people.

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