Address by GAWU President, Komal Chand to FITUG May Day Rally 2009

Under our May Day’s Theme: “Representing Labour’s Response to Global Challenges” allow me to congratulate you and all Guyanese workers on this red-letter day when we join with workers in a number of countries who are celebrating and observing this day. GAWU is pleased to observe not only the large turnout but the unity demonstrated by the leading Unions belonging to FITUG, whose members have just participated in the long parade starting from Parade Ground and covered many streets in Georgetown. Our march has been spirited and ordered befitting the class that history has called upon us to play a significant role in the context of today’s global challenges.

Comrades we from GAWU are delighted to send May Day greetings to all working people of Guyana and the world. We are delighted to celebrate May Day with our fraternal brothers and sisters, our active affiliates, in national trade union solidarity at this Rally today. This is our third consecutive May Day Rally since FITUG’s resuscitation and the second to be held at this venue – the National Park – which, formerly, was the venue for GTUC’s Rally.

Let us remind ourselves, comrades, that May Day became a national holiday in Guyana fifty one (51) years ago, when the then Minister of Labour, Health and Housing, the late Cde Janet Jagan supported fully a motion in the Legislative Council to declare this day a holiday. Since then, Guyana officially has become a part of the celebrations on this day worldwide, to mark the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of the workers of the world, specifically, May Day calls to mind the heroic struggle of the Chicago workers who, like so many others, in various countries, fought for the reduction of the workday to eight (8) hours. In that struggle of the Chicago workers, eight (8) were charged for murder and four (4) were hung. But their heroism lives on. Their struggles had an impact in changing the working conditions of workers in very many countries.

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.

Workers and oppressed peoples are the first and primary victims of the economic crisis that has gripped the world. These days we read regularly of bank fraud and failures, closures of businesses and industries, significant reduction in economic activities. All of which have had telling and disastrous consequences on the working class.

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 ALBA (the Bolivarian Alternative for the People of Our America), 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. And, these stark and worrisome statistics are climbing.

Importantly, the statement further noted that this worldwide crisis, is not due to a lack of regulation, but, it is systemic. The ALBA countries correctly blamed the system of capitalism, based on its exploitation of workers and resources and the pursuit of super profits for the crisis.

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.

Those who have brought us down this road, must be condemned forthrightly, as have been emphasized by the leaders of the ALBA countries. The international working people must demand a change of direction.

The change, we must demand must not be a superficial one, intended to paper over a failed system and breathe new life into the discredited neo-liberal model, as some leaders are trying to do. 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. Likewise, we cannot forget the brutal, illegal and unjust wars leveled or instigated by Imperialism, and its lackeys, in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Palestine, Congo and other countries. To the peoples, including women and children, who are their victims, we send our firmest solidarity.

Likewise, 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.

CLICO Situation

Comrades, though global in scope and reach, the challenges have been felt nationally too. Take for instance, the collapse of CLICO (Guyana). According to the Judicial Manager, Maria VanBeek the liabilities of the embattled company were found to far exceed the Company’s assets and, therefore, not sufficient to meet its obligations. She said that the net asset deficit could rise to G$11.9B should the Company be wound up. Many Guyanese individuals and institutions stand to lose big. However, it is most reassuring that the Government of Guyana has undertook to closely track developments in the Company to ensure that policyholders and depositors’ are protected, as was expressed in Resolution No 82 and 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.” Comrades, GAWU wishes to express our thanks and support for the position taken by the Government.

Plaudits must also go to Government particularly President Jagdeo who recently secured G$3B from the Regional Petroleum Fund towards closing the liability-asset gap of the beleaguered company. At the same time urge the authority to ensure that there is a 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 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, and no doubt, have their own hidden agenda. Let’s beware of them.

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 to reconcile their differences, thus far. FITUG has been very supportive to have the two bodies united. And has given full support to Sir Leroy Trotman, General Secretary of the powerful Barbados Workers Union (BWU), who acted as a mediator towards reuniting the movement; unfortunately his efforts have not been fruitful so far. It is sad to say that support from the TUC, if any, was not encouraging and could not lead to reunification.

The TUC appears to be divided itself; as could be gauged from its President and the General Secretary. It is time for unions affiliated to the TUC to take note and stock of what is taking place in the TUC’s leadership. In the interest of their members, they may want to consider collaboration with the unions of FITUG to reunite and reinvigorate the trade union movement in Guyana.

The unions in FITUG represent some 34,000 workers, while those in the TUC represent about 15,000. A united body will not only speak on behalf of a large number of workers, but will speak, with one voice in Guyana and the world. Strength lies in unity. Unity will give us more courage and make our struggles more effective.

Let us pledge at this rally to support the call and work vigorously for a united trade union umbrella body. Capitalism requires us to have a united and strong body.

Sugar

Last year we said “this year the Guyana Sugar Corporation will see its new state-of-the-art US$110 million sugar factory in operation at Skeldon. The factory is capable of producing 110,000 tonnes sugar per year at US9 cents per pound according to Guysuco. This will greatly assist in making the sugar industry competitive especially in light of the 36 per cent cut in the price of our sugar to the EU.”

Comrades, the new factory did not come on stream until March this year due to the malfunctioning of a few components in the factory. The prophets of doom were once again proven wrong and the GAWU welcomes the beginning of the factory’s operations.

It now requires the Guyana Sugar Corporation and the private farmers at Skeldon to provide the factory with adequate canes in order to realize the targeted output of 110,000 tonnes per annum. And to address this, GAWU urges Guysuco to give focused attention to the question of sugar cultivation.

We must indicate our disappointment with the Booker-Tate Management, of the industry and the termination of its Management contract, we believe is justifiable and overdue.

We call upon the Guyana Sugar Corporation to pay cognizance to the neglect, over the past few years, especially in the cane fields. We demand proper management of the industry, to ensure that good quality canes once again dominate the fields, rather than bushes and grass as is evident on so many fields in the industry.

The industry has the resources – field, factory and human – to produce once again over 300,000 tonnes of sugar and when Skeldon becomes fully operational, to produce over 400,000 tonnes. With such a production level, the industry will once again occupy a commanding position in our economy and contribute even more to the well-being of its workers and to the Guyanese society as a whole.

As mentioned previously comrades, we are facing an ecological crisis manifested in erratic climate changes, bringing floods in some areas, extreme droughts in others and rising ocean levels that threaten entire islands and coastal communities. This is a serious development on our planet and it must be treated seriously. Every country, community and citizen must be concerned. And in this regard we wish to encourage the efforts of the Government of Guyana and particularly President Jagdeo for their role to address effects of Climate Change. The offer by our Government to devote almost our entire rainforest to become the lungs of the world is indeed commendable and requires our full support.

Finally, we wish to express our deep concern over the growing prevalence of Domestic Violence. GAWU at this forum takes the opportunity to denounce this menace. All Guyanese should be sensitized to exert peer pressure on the perpetrators/offenders, who must also face the full force of the law.

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.

Last May Day I said: “our continent is going through an exciting period we cannot be oblivious to these developments. In many countries the working people and its political and social organizations are assisting themselves. They are rejecting the neo-liberal policies imposed on them and seeking to chart an independent path of development. They are doing so under difficult conditions. They need our moral and active support and solidarity.” The same still holds true.

As a working class organization, GAWU today sends its unwavering solidarity to all peoples of our Region, indeed, the world, who, like us, are dreaming and struggling for a new and just world order, to take back their political economic sovereignty and building a life based on steady progress, peace, 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 day, 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 Day
Long Live Workers Struggles
Long Live the Workers of Guyana
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism