GTUC hails ICJ ruling affirming workers’ right to strike

May 28, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) welcomes the landmark advisory opinion delivered by the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, May 21, affirming that the right to strike is protected under the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.

The Court’s opinion brings long-awaited clarity and finality to a decades-old dispute regarding the scope of Convention No. 87 and stands as a resounding victory for workers and trade unions worldwide. By recognising that the right to strike is intrinsic to freedom of association, the ICJ has reaffirmed a fundamental principle of democratic society—that worker must be free to organise and collectively defend their economic and social interests without undue interference.

The ruling comes at a particularly fitting moment for Guyana. This year marks the nation’s 60th Anniversary of Independence and coincides with the centenary of the modern trade union movement’s struggle for political and social advancement. Long before independence became a reality, organised labour stood at the forefront of the fight for universal adult suffrage, popularly expressed as “one man, one vote,” internal self-government, improved working conditions, and the broader quest for national self-determination. The freedoms Guyanese enjoy today are deeply rooted in the sacrifices made by generations of workers who understood that economic justice and political freedom are inseparable.

The ICJ’s opinion also vindicates the landmark 2024 decision of Justice Sandil Kissoon in the matter involving the Guyana Teachers Union and the Ministry of Education. In that case, Justice Kissoon reaffirmed that the right to strike enjoys constitutional protection in Guyana and forms an essential component of workers’ freedoms. His ruling gave practical effect to the clear and unambiguous language contained in Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana, titled “Protection of freedom of assembly, association and demonstration.” Article 147(2) expressly provides:

“Except with his or her own consent no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom to strike.”

The GTUC notes that this constitutional guarantee leaves little room for ambiguity. The right to strike is not a privilege to be granted or withheld by employers or governments; it is a protected constitutional freedom and an internationally recognised labour right. The ICJ’s pronouncement strengthens this position and confirms that the principles embodied in Guyana’s Constitution are consistent with international labour standards.

The Congress commends the International Labour Organisation for its steadfast commitment to the protection of workers’ rights and for seeking definitive legal clarification on Convention No. 87. The ILO’s efforts have now produced an authoritative interpretation that will strengthen freedom of association and collective bargaining rights across the globe.

At the same time, GTUC reminds workers that rights endure only when they are understood, valued and defended. History teaches that rights can be weakened or eroded when citizens become complacent. The freedoms secured by previous generations were won through organisation, sacrifice, courage and persistence. Like liberty itself, workers’ rights require eternal vigilance.

As Guyana celebrates sixty years as an independent nation and reflects on the century-long contribution of the trade union movement to democracy and nation-building, the ICJ’s opinion serves as a powerful reminder that the struggle for justice, dignity and freedom remains ongoing. The right to strike is not merely a labour issue; it is a cornerstone of democratic participation and human dignity.

The GTUC therefore urges all workers, trade unions, employers and policymakers to embrace this ruling as an opportunity to strengthen industrial relations, respect constitutional rights and recommit to the principles of social dialogue, mutual respect and democratic governance.

Regards,

Guyana Trades Union Congress

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Guyana Trades Union Congress, ICJ, Labour Organisation, Letters, workers’ right

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