GAWU President, Komal Chand address to 2006 Enmore Martyrs Rally

INTRODUCTION

As an introduction to my remarks today, allow me first to welcome you in the name of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), the workers at all levels of employment in and service to the Sugar Sector of this nation’s economy – whom GAWU represents – and all our others worthy members.

Secondly, allow me too, to indulge in some numbers; figures which indicate and record historical periods in the evolution of both trade union and political developments in this country. With specific reference to the inter-woven struggles of Guyana’s premier, foremost anti-colonial leader, and that of GAWU to be the merited, chosen and legitimate representatives of the country’s sugar workers.

GIWU, the forerunner of the GAWU, was formed in the year 1947. It was registered in 1948 under the name and description of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU). Dr Cheddi Jagan returned from the USA in 1943. He was popularly elected to the Legislative Council in November of 1947 following a campaign he successfully carried on the East Coast of Demerara. For twenty-eight (28) long years the field and factory workers of the sugar industry were denied recognition by the Sugar Producers Association (SPA) for a Union of their choice. The SPA instead, held on to the treacherous Company Union, the MPCA – so called “Man Power Citizens Association.”

Relentless pressure and struggles culminated in the year 1975 which resulted in the Sugar Barons allowing a poll in the sugar industry between the MPCA and the militant sugar-worker-based, GAWU. The result of the poll held on Old Year’s Day 1975 was as follows – GAWU – 21,487 or 98 per cent of the eligible votes, MPCA – 276 or 1.71 per cent of the eligable votes, spoiled votes 92 or 0.42 per cent of eligible votes. There was no choice left to the SPA, but to recognize GAWU formally as the legitimate sugar-workers’ Bargaining Agent of the field and factory workers in the industry and thus the SPA and GAWU signed the Recognition Agreement on February 27th, 1976. It took 28 years to dislodge the MPCA. During and after the recognition struggle, Dr Cheddi Jagan, himself a Trade Unionist, found time to be GAWU’s Honorary President. Indeed as Honorary President of the Union he played an invaluable role in the development of the Union and the struggle for its recognition.

Between 1964 and 1992 another period of 28 years, Cheddi Jagan’s political movement this time was kept out of office by both local and foreign reactionary forces. For us in GAWU we are celebrating 30 years of Union Recognition in the sugar industry this year. So there you have it: 1947, 1948, 1975, 1976, and 2006. Significant dates, numbers and figures in Guyana’s history.

MARTYRDOM, STRUGGLE AND INDEPENDENCE

The year, Nineteen-forty eight (1948) which saw the registration of the GIWU, also witnessed the martyrdom of the five sugar workers in whose memory we stand, and pay tribute today. But what is martyrdom? Who is a martyr? Do persons really seek to become martyrs?

Well what I do know is that LALLABAGEE, SURUJBALLI, HARRY, RAMBARRAN and POORAN paid the ultimate and supreme sacrifice in pursuit of a more just and fair system of estate field work. Their death was preceded with a strike which started on 22nd April 1948 by some 1,200 field workers from Plantations Enmore, Non-Pariel, Lusignan, Mon Repos, La Bonne Intention, Vryheid Lust and Ogle. The workers took strike action to protest, among other things, the arbitrary imposition of the “cut and load system” in place of the “cut and drop system”.

Cde Ashton Chase in his book “A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana – 1900 to 1961,” set out clearly the reasons for the strike. He stated; “The origin of the strike was first of all general expression of dissatisfaction by the workers with their miserable conditions of work and life, notwithstanding the existence of recognized unions. Secondly, the failure of the recognized unions (MPCA and BG Workers league) over the years to really alleviate the harsh conditions under which they worked or to secure even a fair improvement in their real wages. Thirdly, dissatisfaction with the new system of work for cane cutters, to wit, cut and load. Fourthly, frustration with the machinery set up with the approval of the recognized union for resolving difference at estate level. And last but not least, the demand for recognition of a new trade union under a militant leadership to represent their interest”

Today, we are gathered to pay our homage and respect to the fallen Enmore Martyrs – Comrades Lallabagee, Surujballie, Harry, Rambarran and Pooran. Their martyrdom telegraphed throughout Guyana, the Caribbean and beyond the abominable working conditions which the sugar barons maintained in the sugar industry over 100 years after the abolition of slavery and also over one hundred years after the commencement of East Indian immigration.

The shooting of the strikers in 1948 was not an isolated event in the history sugar workers’ resistance. In 1872, five workers were killed at Devonshire Castle; in 1879, five at Non-Pariel; in 1903, eight at Friends; in 1912, one at Friends and one at Lusignan; in 1913, fifteen at Rose Hall. After indenture, thirteen were killed at Ruimveldt in 1924 and four at Leonora in 1939.

However, the snuffing out of the lives of the gallant and brave Enmore Five heralded the end, with the exception of Kowsilla in 1964 at Leonora, of the spate of killings of protesting workers. Remember at their grave site, Cheddi Jagan at the interment of the martyrs made his silent pledge to dedicate his entire life to the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation. Such was the impact! Truly, it could be said that the burial of the martyrs signaled the most significant BEGINNING of social and political action in the history of this country.

The death of the Enmore Five, Comrades and friends, could never be assessed as being in vain. Cde Cheddi Jagan saw to that.

Cde Janet Jagan, former President of Guyana said that during the four and a half month strike by sugar workers, she and other persons collected money to maintain a soup kitchen for the strikers. She opined that the death of the five martyrs sent a “thunderbolt” through the society, invigorating the liberation struggle which followed.

OUR ECONOMY, POLITICS AND CRIME

Every year too – in recent times – from this Martyrs Platform – we discuss what we have done with our Independence. How our economy fared, our socio-political condition – our present and our future?

GAWU, like every other responsible national institution, now have to assess our economic fortunes against both, the LOCAL natural disasters and FOREIGN economic death-threats issued against us. What do we honestly find?

Comrades and friends, the Enmore Martyrs were murdered by the Plantocracy simply because, from their own selfish exploitative perspective, they were protecting their business interests. They – aided and abetted by the lackey union, the MPCA – were steamrolling the cut-and-load system upon the backs of the field workers without any negotiation or consultation.

Sugar profits were enjoyed by the Barons and by Britain. The economy of British Guiana was fashioned to fatten the Mother Country. Today, sugar however continues to play a pivotal role in our economic survival. Alas, as mentioned before, the European Union’s agricultural reforms spell challenges for sugar’s very survival once more. It is no secret that the European Union has slashed the price they paid for our sugar by 36 per cent over a four year period commencing on July 01, 2006. Once again, the representatives of Europe influence the bread-and-butter of nations such as Guyana. But, it is still to be hoped that our international lobbying for financial support for the European Union and our own local reforms spelt out in Guysuco’s Strategic Plan with the Skeldon Expansion being the lynch pin, will ensure not only continuing survival, but new prosperity of sugar as a major foreign exchange earner for the benefit of all our people.

The industry, which accounts for some 50 per cent of Guyana’s Agriculture and 18 per cent of the Country’s Gross Domestic Product, is largely responsible for the multi-ethnic character of Guyana being a reflection of the slave, indenture and contracted labour brought from Africa, India, Portugal and China to work on the sugar plantations. The nation greatly depends upon this number one industry. Let us all support Guysuco’s goal to revolutionise the industry to make it a producer of refined sugar and not mere raw sugar and to diversify its agricultural base. Let us support the Skeldon Modernisation Project which will see the production of 110,000 tonnes sugar annually by that state of the art factory alone. Let us support Guysuco’s effort to produce electricity for sale to the National Grid. We must not lose sight of the construction of a distillery in Berbice and the expansion of the production of value added sugar.

To be honest, all sectors of our national economy are experiencing challenges and occasional setbacks. If it is not weather conditions and floods affecting various segments of the agricultural sector – rice, vegetables, poultry and livestock, other perishables – it is the rising cost of fuel impacting on the seafood sector, forestry and mining. We hear now of the problems with sales of our special bauxite products. We of GAWU express our solidarity with those workers who have to stay home for a short period. We know too the demands of everyday life. So we urge the government and the company to seek new markets.

In mining we demand that the Geology and Mines authorities demonstrate new initiatives to ensure that our precious gold and diamonds are declared in Georgetown and not SMUGGLED out of our country. We are heartened by the searches for oil and the announcement that an oil refinery will be built on Crab Island. Then the Berbice River will see a spanking new floating bridge over which, will be soon constructed. We hear and see a Cement Bagging Plant being erected in Georgetown. We are heartened at some of the projections of the 2006 Budget, namely, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 4.3 per cent. Sugar production is expected to grow by 20 per cent, Bauxite projection is expected to grow by some 70 per cent and inflation rate is expected to decline to 6.3 per cent.

As we look forward to the economic spin-offs from next year’s Cricket World Cup, we call upon the Guyanese people to unite behind peace, security and development. We repeat these views with respect to our political landscape.
THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTIONS

Only peaceful co-existence can sustain economic development for every Guyanese to benefit from. Whatever shape or form our political, parliamentary or governmental structures contemplate, the people of Guyana collectively – after all the elections, the protests, the demonstrations – the responsible people must dictate to their leaders the way forward.

As we observed only last May Day, our political difference is seemingly, increasingly difficult to conciliate. Overshadowing and underlying this state of affairs, is the reality of imminent general and regional elections. Yes comrades, this is the season which somehow brings out the worst in certain political contestants. Charges and counter-charges, allegations, boycotts, legal and constitutional challenges and maneuverings offer us – the working class – and indeed the entire populace – no opportunity for more normal – even if robust – electioneering contests which ought to be characterized by civility, respect, even humour.

Comrades, GAWU asks that you observe, study, recognize the techniques of the villains of peace. Know who is causing confusion and confrontation and why and on what ground? And, we must firmly condemn those that unsuccessfully sow discord or resort to unwarranted, at times, violent methods to secure their political ends.

Just look at the mischief and deception being created to thwart the compilation of a voters list! And let me cut to the chase here: the SECRETARIAT OF THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION – THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY DOING THE REGISTRACTION AND COMPILATION – IS NOT MANNED BY PERSONS AFFILIATED TO THE RULING PARTY! Too often that simple but significant fact is not mentioned.

Over the last weekend, even the representatives of major foreign countries came out in unqualified support for the verifiable efforts of the Elections Commission, in the face of the pre-election mischief being implemented by some. GAWU calls on all right-minded Guyanese to REJECT those who would seek to RIG when in and out of government. Those who in yesteryear nullified genuine electors’ ballots in ballot boxes for bogus ones are those who today are attempting to denying legitimate electors their right to vote. And GECOM must not let such delaying tactics prevail! Let us all ensure that we have credible, clean, free and fair and transparent national and regional elections come September this year.

CRIME – AND CO-EXISTENCE

Evidence is emerging that certain aspects of crime have links to the same politics of destablisation. Soon it will emerge, and be revealed just WHO ARE THE POLITICIANS actively – THOUGH COVERTLY – in supporting organizing, sheltering and protecting the criminal enterprise.

On that issue, it is our position that just as we must dismantle the Narcotics Syndicates operating in our midst, we must cleanse our communities of all petty criminals, hijackers, kidnappers, gun-toting bandits and murderers. To do this, it is obvious that re-structuring of our Joint Forces must be undertaken. And community-oriented, professionally-trained law enforcement units must be established throughout the regions.

GAWU does not feel that seeking outside assistance for crime-fighting compromises our independence. Many INDEPENDENT under-developed and developing nations accepted help from more-developed nations, in this regard. Perhaps foreign neutral assistance will unearth the villains at all levels.

In concluding this issue GAWU remembers, with regret, the disappearance of four of its members – MAIKRAM SAWH, SAMPERSAUD TARANAUTH, SOOKRAM DHANI and HARDAT. Where are they, we ask? Who engineered their mysterious disappearances? No ransom was asked. Is this criminal terrorism? Who stands to benefit from a climate of fear and uncertainty? Certainly not any government! SAWH, TARANAUTH, DHANI and HARDAT are for now gone but never forgotten. The cowardly criminals who, might have participated in their demise must be hounded down and brought to justice. This act which causes the disappearance of our four comrades from this region is reminiscent of the agents of colonialism who SHOT THE MARTYRS AND THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE BACKS! We must not allow ourselves to be fooled by those who support criminal activities quietly and publicly come to sympathize with us.

CONCLUSION

The whole nation must demand peace and security.

The nation must understand pending reforms in the sugar sector and support the Skeldon Expansion Project

The nation must insist on elections on the constitutionally recommended date to be decided upon by the President of the Republic. You must understand the implications, if the wicked forces were to succeed in delaying or postponing elections.

GECOM must proceed diligently with its work

The nation must choose a government and a leader based on issues and evidence around at hand.

The whole nation must demand peace and security. Remember comrades our experience in past must be the guiding light for the future.

Long live the memory of the Martyrs

Long live the working class of Guyana!

Long live the Republic of Guyana!