GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) said Wednesday it remains committed to working with all stakeholders to promote a work environment that engenders peace, diversity, and tolerance.
“Let us recognize and celebrate the contributions of workers in every sector and strive to create a society where every worker is valued, empowered, and treated with dignity and respect,” the ERC said in a Labor Day statement.
The ERC described the traditional day of workers as “a significant occasion dedicated to honoring the contributions of workers across our nation,” saying that it also “serves as a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of workers from all walks of life who contribute tirelessly to the development and prosperity of Guyana.
“It is a day to recognize the invaluable role of workers in driving our economy forward, building our communities, and shaping the future of our nation.”
It said that trade unions regard the occasion as a time to assess the labor movement’s gains and challenges over the past year.
“Their underlying focus is premised on workers’ rights. Labour Day also provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of unity and solidarity among workers of different backgrounds and ethnicities.”
The ERC said that in a diverse society like Guyana, “it is essential that we come together, in harmony, to support each other and work towards common goals that benefit all.”
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said it would participate in Labour Day activities under the theme “Galvanizing and Mobilizing for Workers’ Empowerment and an Equal Share of the Oil Wealth”.
As an affiliate of Public Services International, the GPSU endorses its statement, “Public Service Workers are the foundations of the struggle for peace, solidarity, and democracy amidst escalating conflict and crises.”
GPSU said that the trade union movement provides a platform to approach common issues in pursuit of economic and social justice for the workers of Guyana and the movement worldwide to advance their interests.
“There is growing poverty among the population, human rights violations, abuse of democratic institutions, erosion of the rule of law, Occupational Safety and Health concerns, and unconscionable and insensitive income inequality, among other serious concerns,” it said, adding that the Social and Economic Policies, including trade agreements, must place the people, safety, health, and jobs before profit, to ensure a just deal for a better life for all.
“The GPSU maintains that a country’s resources must, therefore, be used to benefit its people, and there must be equality in its disbursement. The GPSU also reiterates that workers who implement the government’s policies and make them look good must be paid a living wage.”
Meanwhile, in a broadcast on Tuesday night, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said job creation will be expanded, and new opportunities will be introduced to better the lives of the working class.
Ali said that his government has invested significantly to resuscitate key sectors in the economy, and this has resulted in the creation of a number of jobs in bauxite, sugar, and forestry.
“Today, through significant policies, we have deployed back investment in the mining sector. We have full participation once again in the mining sector. The forestry sector is again able to face the bill, returning those jobs that were lost. In sugar, we have continuously invested and returned jobs, taking those families off the breadline.
“Bauxite lost thousands of jobs. Today, Ali added that we have been able to return more than 1,000 jobs in the industry, and this number is expected to increase before the end of this year.
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