GAWU General Secretary, Seepaul Narine address to Enmore Martyrs Wreath Laying Ceremony

Another year on this memorable day June 16, we gather to pay homage and seek inspiration from the struggle of five fallen comrades who have become known as the Enmore Martyrs.

It was on this day, 58 years ago on June 16, 1948 that the lives of Rambarran 30 years old, Lall known as Pooran – 20 years old, Lallagagee Kissoon – 35 years old, Surujballi – 32 years old and Hari – 30 years old, were snuffed out by the bullets of Colonial Police, on the orders of those who controlled the Plantocracy. Fourteen (14) others who were also wounded.

These workers were on strike since April 22, 1948 mainly protesting against a change in condition of work and for a union of their choice.

According to the History of Trade Unionism in Guyana 1900 to 1961 Cde Ashton Chase wrote “the Enmore strike started on April 22, 1948, by cane cutters ostensibly over the system of cut and load as against cut and drop. The real object of the strike however was to secure recognition of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) as the bargaining agent, on behalf of field and factory workers in the sugar industry. It started simultaneously at sugar estates on the East Coast of Demerara. It gained in momentum as it proceeded. The sugar producers said that it reached its peak about the 12th of June after which it began to decline. On the 16th June 1948, shooting by the police took place at Enmore.”

There could be no question as to the justification of the workers strike and their demands for better working conditions. Dr James G. Rose in his work “The 1948 Enmore Incident” described the material circumstances of the workers as follows: “What were the material circumstances of the workers at the time of taking strike action in 1948? As always there were several features within the system which tended to create restiveness productive of eruptive responses. These included the appalling housing arrangements, characterized by the infamous barrack type logies which had been condemned over and over again and which a 1937 Commission had indicated as being almost always in a state of advanced decay, dilapidation and general dis-repair.”

Dr Rose continued “A Royal Commission investigating nutritional levels throughout the British Empire established a nexus between low wages, unemployment and underemployment, expanding population levels and malnutrition. Medical care was manned almost exclusively by Dispenses with doctors paying periodic visits, sometimes weekly. The available evidence suggests that there were about 7 doctors to every 100,000 persons in the Colony and 7 beds per every 1000 possible patients. In such circumstances the quality of professional medical care left much to be desired. Drugs were always in short supply and prescriptions lacked both relevance and creativity. Potable water was almost unknown and it was not unusual for latrines to be constructed over the same trenches from which drinking and cooking water was secured.”

These were some of the conditions which the Enmore Martyrs stood up against, they had no idea that their names were engraved on bullets and that their demise would be the way it happened. But did their struggle go in vain? Certainly not – following their deaths the famous Venn Commission was appointed to enquire into the shooting.

That Commission made some important recommendations for example:

• Girls and women should be prevented from working in water
• Fresh drinking water should be provided aback
• Children born out of Hindu or Muslim marriages and their mothers should benefit from compensation awarded under the Workmen’s compensation ordinance.
• Child labour should not be employed in the industry
• The logies should be cleared and sugar workers to be re-housed

These are just but some of the recommendations. What is important however, is that the Enmore struggle produced a different type of leadership. One that was honest, dedicated and most of all determined. We should all know of that famous pledge that Dr Cheddi Jagan made here, at this gravesite fifty-eight (58) years ago when the comrades were buried. Indeed comrade Cheddi lived his life for the betterment of others. Our nation also must recognize that valuable role which his wife played. She did not only provide leadership, but stood steadfast by the side of her husband in defence of the poor and downtrodden. We all owe a sense of gratitude to this great lady; Cde Janet Jagan, Former President of the Cooperative republic of Guyana.

Comrades, had the Martyrs been alive today, they would have been happy that workers of this country no longer have to strike and fight to belong to a union of their choice, as there is now a Law on this matter.

We therefore, have to protect and uphold this piece of Legislation and not allow anyone to frustrate the rights of workers despite the existence of the law.

Struggles after struggles from 1948, brought improvement to lives of Guyanese and there is no doubt that our country is set for even greater developments. Today we have a number of labour friendly legislations. We have democracy; we have the right to belong to a Union of our choice. These gains we must protect, least they be taken away by those bent on stifling development and progress in this beautiful country of our birth. We see in our society criminal activities at such alarming proportion that even Minister Satyadeo Sawh who was loved by so many Guyanese, being assassinated. And now that it is elections time, we can only hope and pray that the wisdom of peace and goodwill not wickedness and evil, would prevail upon our country men and women.

Our struggle today is different from that faced by the Enmore Martyrs. The Sugar industry is at a cross road with the European Union cutting the price paid for our sugar by 36 per cent over a four year period starting in two weeks time from the 1st July 2006. This is indeed a severe blow as we stand to loose more than $7Bln annually when the price cut is fully implemented.

As Guyanese, it is our duty to fully support the efforts of Guysuco to get as much “compensation” which is referred to as “Accompanying Measures” from the European Union, toward the development of Guysuco in its Skeldon Modernisation project, in its diversification of Agriculture and in its vision for value added sugar, co-generation and possibly ethanol.

Our support for the vision of a modern sugar industry in a peaceful and progressive Guyana would indeed be a fitting tribute to the Enmore Martyrs.

Long Live the Enmore Martyrs!

Long Live the Cooperative Republic of Guyana!