‘Guyana’s business can’t wait’ – GTUC calls for immediate summoning of 13th Parliament

Oct 17, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Thursday demanded the immediate summoning of the 13th Parliament. In a press release, the union said that Guyana’s “urgent business cannot wait any longer.”

“As Guyana faces mounting challenges—the management of our crucial oil and gas resources, a soaring cost of living, deepening poverty, and escalating tensions between the United States (U.S.) and Venezuela placing our country at risk—swift parliamentary action is imperative,” the GTUC said.

Earlier this month, President Irfaan Ali assured that the 13th Parliament will be convened within the constitutional deadline.

The 12th Parliament was dissolved on July 3, 2025, ahead of the polls, which resulted in the People’s Progressive Party Civic, PPP/C securing victory and Ali being elected for a second term. He was sworn in on September 7, followed by the appointment of his cabinet in the days after. The only outstanding step is the reconvening of Parliament.

Under Article 69 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, Parliament must meet no later than four months after dissolution. The provision states: “Each session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Guyana and shall begin at such time (not being later than six months from the end of the preceding session if Parliament has been prorogued or four months from the end of that session if Parliament has been dissolved) as the President shall appoint by proclamation.”

Recently, President Ali reiterated his government’s commitment to operating within the Constitution. “You can always count on the PPP/C government to do everything within the constitution, and I would never ever do anything outside of it. Article 69 (1) speaks on this matter. The president will reconvene parliament, we have until four months after the parliament was dissolved,” he said.

The President added that he sees no need to rush the process. “I still have a lot of time under the constitution to reconvene parliament.  It will take me sometime in November that is within the constitution. So, I think Guyana can trust the PPP/C government and we will operate within the constitution.  The constitution gives me a time frame and I was elected President and what I can assure you that it will be convened within the constitutional timeframe,” the President said.

However, the opposition has criticised the delay, arguing that urgent national matters remain unattended. Meanwhile, the union said that for decades, the Caribbean has proudly stood as a Zone of Peace but “today, that peace is under threat.”

“While some leaders argue that allowing the Caribbean Sea to serve as a channel in the U.S.–Venezuela conflict maintains regional stability, GTUC recognises the grave complexities involved. The presence of American warships in the Caribbean remains a contested issue even within U.S. leadership. We urge all Guyanese to remain vigilant to ensure our sovereignty, peace, and security are not compromised by external conflicts beyond our control.”

The GTUC said that the escalating conflict between the United States and Venezuela can cause severe repercussions for Guyana. The union noted that “it risks drawing our nation into a dangerous crossfire, destabilising our internal peace and security.”

“The conflict can cause increased forced migration from Venezuela, placing immense pressure on our porous borders and overwhelming our social infrastructure. Most importantly, this conflict can fracture our fragile national unity if not addressed swiftly and transparently.”

The union stressed that, “These matters require transparent and informed debate by our elected representatives—and that can only happen in Parliament, the nation’s highest decision-making forum”, the statement said while noting that it joins the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in calling for a “living wage” aligned with rising living costs.

Moreover, the GTUC said that since 2020 prices have risen exponentially, placing severe strain on working families. “Though our oil-fueled economy has brought impressive growth, much of our population still struggles. With over half of Guyanese living on less than US$5.50 per day, many cannot afford basic meals. The disparity between national wealth and everyday hardship is a crisis that demands urgent attention. With the dollar currently trading around GY$210 to US$1, the reality on the ground is stark and alarming. In this oil-rich nation, many Guyanese cannot afford three nutritious meals daily. Too many children attend school hungry, families go to bed without food, and some survive on green mangoes or boiled eggs—meals borne not of choice but of necessity.”

Additionally, the GTUC reiterated its call for inclusive democracy as mandated by the Constitution of Guyana. Effective governance requires the full participation of all Guyanese, united under the motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny. This shared responsibility must be embraced without delay. “The immediate convening of the 13th Parliament is not only necessary—it is essential to safeguard our nation’s future.”

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• 13th Parliament, GTUC, Guyana business, urgent business

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