Address by GAWU Field Secretary, Ramkarran Dass to the Anna Regina May Day Rally 2009

As we gather here once again to celebrate May Day allow me on behalf of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to congratulate the workers here at this Rally and all workers of Guyana. May Day offers the opportunity to workers to reflect on the events of the past year especially those that affect them and consider what might be future issues during the next year.

Today in Georgetown, our Union along with the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), are celebrating May Day under the banner of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and under the theme “Representing Labour’s Response to the Global Challenges.”

Workers in many countries of the world are also celebrating this red letter day. Indeed not in all countries of the world is today a holiday. In some countries workers do not have the right to belong to a trade union. Many of them are jailed for their trade union activities and it is a fact that some of them are murdered for organizing workers to obtain better conditions of work, to enjoy basic trade union rights, to protest against lay-offs and retrenchment, to protest for better pay and working conditions, etc.

Comrades, today workers the world over are victims of the economic and financial crisis afflicting the global economy. The World Bank warned last week that up to 53 million more people around the world could fall into poverty in 2009 as a result of the economic slump and up to 800,000 more children could die each year as a result of rising infant mortality. Those statistics highlight the worldwide character of the social catastrophe being perpetuated by the deepening crisis.

We in Guyana are not as unfortunate, although the melt-down will spare no country, our banking system is not inter-twined with the financial system in North America and elsewhere where the crisis emerged.

Indeed we are affected in some way. Remittances which were equivalent to 26.8% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), last year, is estimated to decline to 21.1% of GDP this year. Such reduction is having its consequential effect on our people since their families, relatives and friends are victims of the crisis abroad and thus restricted to provide the level of past support.

CLICO Situation

CLICO (Guyana) is another example of the crisis. That Company is now being wound-up under the direction of the court. The Government of Guyana has undertaken to guarantee the savings, pensions, investments and insurance of all investors, depositors, policy holders and contributors of CLICO (Guyana).

This was expressed in Resolution No 82 which was passed recently by the National Assembly. That resolution stated “that the National Assembly endorses the statement by the Government guaranteeing the savings, pensions, investments and insurance of all investors, depositors, policy holders and contributors of Clico.” It is expected at the conclusion of the Judicial process, the Company would be liquidated, that is the sale of the Company’s assets would take place. It was disclosed that in the worst case scenario there would be a deficit of G$11.9 billion and in the less worst case situation just over G$8 billion.

Comrades, GAWU wishes to express our thanks and support for the position taken by the Government. At the same time urge the authority to ensure that careful and proper evaluation of the Company’s assets are conducted to ensure that the said assets are not sold at rock bottom prices, which will mean a greater reliance on the Consolidated Fund to settle with all depositors. At this time, I take the opportunity to denounce those mischief-makers who are seeking to drive fear among the workers that the NIS G$5.6B investment in Clico will be a loss to the Scheme. These mischief-makers, I daresay have their own hidden agenda. Beware of them.

Rice Industry

Comrades, GAWU speaking at a rally here in Anna Regina it would be remiss should we not offer some comments on the falling price of our rice. This is a worldwide phenomenon. The Director General of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Jacques Diouf, pointed out that while the prices for essential agricultural commodities such as rice, corn and wheat have fallen from the destructive heights they reached in 2008, they remain approximately 30 per cent higher than their 2005 values. He warned “the food crisis is not yet over.”

The Director General also pointed out that the food crisis could increase once again to the highs recorded between 2007 – 2008, as a result of the lack of credit available to farmers affecting their production and expansion capabilities.

Comrades, the people of this county depend heavily on rice and its falling price, indeed is a matter of concern and worry. Many farmers influenced by the high prices in 2007 and 2008 invested in machines and other equipment only to find that the high prices have been short lived. It is time that farmers, especially rice farmers, work towards pooling their machines and equipment, since individual ownership is too burdensome and uneconomical if farmers are to survive with competitive prices. In many countries, for example Vietnam, India and the Philippines, co-operative farming plays an important role and unless we do likewise, we will not be able to be competitive.

We also would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Rice Producers Association (RPA) for its support and work toward consolidating our rice industry. We have taken note of many of their initiatives which has redounded to the benefit of the industry. Take, the seed-paddy venture of the RPA, we understand farmers are able to obtain good quality treated seed paddy to grow their crops. This helps to significantly provide higher production per acre and better quality rice.

Our solidarity is extended to all rice farmers in Guyana.

International

Today, new issues have raised their ugly ominous heads. Whilst these issues have emanated from the developed countries, they are swiftly spreading their deadly tentacles to developing countries like ours. The international situation continues to be grim and every passing year it seems to be worsening. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) tells us the World Economy will see negative growth in 2009, the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

This crisis haunting the world has led to millions of our fellow workers laid off their jobs, with starvation staring them and their families in their faces. In the United States, considered the wealthiest country in the world, millions, mainly workers, unable to pay their mortgages, have been evicted from their homes, and many, with their families are forced into shelters and “TENT CITIES.” The Wealthy of the World have put in place over the past thirty (30) years a system, sometimes referred to as Capitalist Gloablisation, which, in our day, have resulted in joblessness, homelessness and rapacious plunder of resources in developing countries.

Just before the Summit of the Americas held a few weeks ago, in Trinidad and Tobago, a group of countries from Latin America and the Caribbean called the Bolivarian Alternative for the People of Our America (ALBA), issued a statement, in which they stated that the present economic crisis, until now, has created 100 million more starving people while increasing unemployment by some 50 million.
Importantly, the statement further noted that this worldwide crisis, is not due to a lack of regulation, but, it is systemic.

It is the system too that is at the root of the ecological crisis, resulting in climate change, now affecting and threatening all corners of the globe. Each year, the ALBA countries declared, the world consumes a third more than what the planet is capable of regenerating. At such a rate, they felt, we will need two planets by the year 2030.

Those then, comrades, are some of the salient features of our times. They are gloomy and grim realities. They make up the challenges that people, especially working people must respond to.

Working people need genuine, fundamental change of the EXISITING SYSTEM. We need a system founded upon ECONOMIC and POLITICAL democracy and social justice. We need a system where not only financial elites and corporations make the most, but one where the working people are increasingly involved in decision-making at all levels of society.

And, comrades, even as we focus on the Economic Crisis and the Ecological Crisis of today, we cannot forget the other persistent and hideous problems that plague mankind. There are the ever-growing issues of poverty and destitution, international crime and violence, disease and illiteracy that afflict hundreds of millions the world over.

On this May Day, we send our solidarity to the progressive governments, especially on our continent, which face constant destabilization attempts; to the government and people of Cuba whose revolutionary consistency has won the respect and admiration of people’s throughout the world; the millions who are fighting back against the crisis and demanding change of the failed capitalist system.

GAWU says, the times are hard, difficult and challenging but it is not a time to despair. It is a time to fight back. Labour must face today’s challenges with a fighting spirit.

Local Government Elections

Comrades, we also take the opportunity to support the call for Local Government Elections this year. Prior to the last Local Government elections in 1994 there was a lapse of twenty four (24) years.

In future, after the forthcoming Local Government elections, we must ensure that Local Government elections are held every three (3) years. Problems and issues affecting communities could be addressed by vibrant, active and functional NDC’s. We believe that new councils emerging from fresh elections would be able to address important community matters.

We would like to see that the appropriate legislation is approved by the National Assembly for elections to be held. We would like to see emerging for those elections, dedicated and committed Village leaders.

We call on the people to choose suitable candidates, persons who are honest and dedicated to bring about changes at the level of Local Government an important component in the governance of our country.

Trade Union Unity
Comrades, while there is need for unity among workers and their union, it is sad to say that the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and FITUG have been unable so far to reconcile their differences. FITUG has been very supportive to have the two bodies united. FITUG has given full support to Sir Leroy Trotman, General Secretary of the powerful Barbados Workers Union (BWU) to act as a mediator towards reuniting the bodies. Sir Leroy who made visits to Guyana and met with the two bodies received the fullest co-operation from FITUG. It is sad to say that support from the TUC, if any, was not encouraging and could not lend to reunification.

The TUC appears to be divided itself; if one follows the utterings of the General Secretary acting, the President and the General Secretary, who has taken up another post in the Caribbean Congress of Labour and who has chosen to be General Secretary of the TUC on leave. It is time for unions affiliated to the TUC to take stock of the TUC’s weaknesses, of its rudderless sailing and in the interest of their members join hands with the unions of FITUG to reunite the trade union movement. This is important in the interest of workers of our country who must join hands and extend solidarity with workers of the world as the global crisis becomes harsher in the ensuing months and years.

The unions in FITUG represent some 34,000 workers while those in the TUC represent a mere 15,000. A united body will not only speak on behalf of a large number of workers but will speak with one voice which will be more forceful.

Let us pledge at this rally to support the call for a united trade union umbrella body.

Berbice River Bridge

Comrades, undoubtedly our country continues to progress, the long awaited dream of bridging of the Berbice River is now a reality. Many were critical and even doubtful that the Berbice River Bridge would become a reality. Again the doomsayers were proven wrong, now they are at it again, this time, criticizing positive investments made by a leading and reputable financial institution of this country. We must be proud the bridge is there and will allow for a host of new economic opportunities and activities.

Conclusion

Comrades, though our times are troubled, as workers we know of struggles and the importance of struggles to bring about changes, big or small. To be effective, our struggles need clarity, commitment and organization. With these weapons the GAWU is confident that we can score greater victories ahead. Let us all be ready to stand up and respond to today’s challenges.

As we said last year “as a working class organization, the GAWU today sends its unwavering solidarity to all peoples of our region, who, like us, are dreaming and struggling for a new and just world order, taking back their economic sovereignty and building a life based on steady progress, democracy and freedom.

Many decades ago, Karl Marx, a genius of the working class, issued the slogan: Workers of the World Unite! He urged the workers to struggle as they have nothing to lose but their chains.

In our times, comrades, more than ever, our watchwords must be Unity! Struggle! Solidarity! Let us commit ourselves to those slogans as we continue our march to a better and more fruitful life.”

Long live May 1st
Long live the struggles of workers
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism