Remembering the Martyrs: GAWU’s President Komal Chand address on Enmore Martyrs Day 2009

GAWU President, Komal Chand delivering his address

On this 61st anniversary of the commemoration of the Enmore Maryrs, I bring you greetings in the name of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), which represents among others, thousands of sugar workers who belong to an industry which largely influences our country’s development and impacted on our historic social and political events that would shape our anti-colonial struggle which resulted in our independence

THE MARTYRS – AND MARTYRDOM

The story of the Five Martyrs which is now fairly well-known, speaks of the various forms of human and industrial maltreatment meted out to workers by the plantocracy.

The eventual Martyrs – RAMBARRAN, POORAN, LALLABAGEE KISSOON, SURUJBALLI and HARRI – would have known of the general dissatisfaction with the company-union – the Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA). Cde Ashton Chase in his renowned book A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana 1900 to 1961, pointed out one of the primary causes of the strike was, “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”.

Those five protesting workers were shot, by our own Guyanese colonial police, but they – the ranks – were mere instruments of British colonialism. The five young sugar workers were indeed working-class heroes. Today, however, I want us to pause to recognize other sugar workers who also made the ultimate sacrifice before Enmore. They too, were heroes and martyrs. 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 indentureship, thirteen were killed at Ruimveldt in 1924 and four at Leonora in 1939. Yes, comrades and friends, their sacrifice was no less than those whom we honour at this venue today.

the Enmore Martyrs Monument

THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ENMORE

Workers today must appreciate why Enmore assumed such historic and lasting significance. It marked the last occasion that workers were massacred by the plantocracy. There were three significant factors which contributed to the end of the episode, firstly, the young Dr Cheddi Jagan’s entry into the Legislative Council, representing the interest of particularly the working people, secondly, the formation of the PPP’s forerunner – the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and thirdly, the formation of a real sugar workers union – the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), all occurring in 1947. Against this background, the strike and protest of the workers from April 22, 1948 took place. The massacre of the five troubled and inspired Cheddi and Janet Jagan and others to dedicate their every breath to the cause of the struggle of Guyanese against bondage and exploitation.

In attributing Dr Jagan’s passionate, life-long devotion to the anti-colonial struggle of British Guiana we cannot fail to recognize his life partner’s contribution. Cde Janet Jagan came to this strange tropical place and plunged into the activities that would assist her husband and others in establishing the PAC; among her association in the struggle of workers, she was the Field Secretary of the BG Clerks Association and the Assistant General Secretary of the British Guiana Labour Union (GLU). With respect to the Enmore Martyrs, she assisted in organizing the soup kitchens, distributing pamphlets and other support mechanisms. GAWU pays tribute today to the glorious memory of this Women’s Champion, who recently took her earthly leave of us.

The strike and shooting of the workers was significant in more ways than one. Reverend Dale Bisnauth, a former Minister of Labour, tells us that “the fingers that triggered the deaths of Harri, Lallbagee, Surujballi, Rambarran and Pooran unwittingly triggered the movement for the country’s independence from imperial rule and colonial exploitation.” What an ironic connection! Enmore indeed galvanized Dr Cheddi Jagan and all his political comrades into nationalistic political struggle, resulting in government by 1953 and independence thirteen (13) years after. That, my friends; is what Enmore and its martyrs precipitated.

BEYOND ENMORE – TODAY’S GUYANA

Since the martyrdom of the five, the landscape of the sugar industry has been transformed. The sugar planters were forced to make concessions, improving the working conditions of the workers including the prevention of girls and women from working in water, the provision of fresh drinking water in the backdam, social amenities such as bathrooms and canteens for factory workers, children born out of Hindu or Muslim marriages, and their mothers, to benefit from compensation awarded under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, the removal of logies or ranges and the establishment of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC), which provides house lots and loans for workers to construct their homes. However, there were two significant changes in the industry, its nationalization which began in 1975 and completed in 1976 and in the same year the recognition of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) which the sugar planters resisted for almost three (3) decades.

Had the sugar industry not been nationalized and remained so, years before the present 36% price cut for our sugar exported to Europe, the owners would have undoubtedly, closed a few estates. Certainly, they would have done so coinciding with the commencement of the price cut in 2006. GAWU, which agitated and supported the nationalization of the industry remains watchful that the industry or part of it, is not re-privatized and there is no justification at this time for such action.

It is heartening to know that the industry is currently receiving significant government support. Reference is made to the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) and the new packaging plant to be constructed right here at Enmore.

The Skeldon Project which cost US$180M included the construction of a new modern state of the art factory at Skeldon Estate and the addition of 9,000 hectares of cane cultivation between Guysuco and private farmers. When the factory obtains an adequate supply of canes, expectedly in 2012, there will be a production of 110,000 tonnes of sugar per annum and approximately 10 megawatts of electricity for the National Grid. Presently, from the three (3) wartsila plants, 9 megawatts are available to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Part of the crowd attending the rally

At Enmore, just ten (10) days ago, a G$2.4B contract was sealed to construct a new packaging plant and to upgrade the factory there. The project, titled “Project Gold”, is funded by the European Union (EU) and when completed, will enable Guysuco to increase its production of packaged sugar by some 40,000 tonnes. The state-of-the-art packaging plant is slated for completion in September, 2010, while upgrading of the processing house to increase the sugar production at that location is expected to be completed by February, 2011. I wish to call on the Board of Directors and the Management of the Corporation to ensure that the deadlines are met and that we do not permit delays similar to the Skeldon Project. This multi-billion dollar investment will provide greater revenue to the industry and contribute to its viability.

While these projects are being implemented to make the industry viable, the industry’s performance over the past few years is lamentable. The poor production last year of 226,269 tonnes of sugar and the low first crop production of 83,000 tonnes this year, the lowest since 1991, is cause for concern. It is recalled that a Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Minister of Agriculture to examine the Field Operations of East Demerara Estates, found poor management in the fields which resulted in the low production seen at that Estate. The Commission observed among other things that “it was rather disappointing that the Estate was allowed to decline to such a state without urgent remedial action being taken, especially since both the Corporation’s Head Office and the Agriculture Research Centre are sited in East Demerara Estates.”

I would like to hail the decision of the Government of Guyana, a few months ago, to end the Management contract with Booker-Tate, though belatedly. We fully support the indigenous management of the industry and hope that the Board of Direcrtors and the Management Team would ensure that once again good quality canes abound in the fields throughout the industry. Further, workers’ remuneration must not only defend their purchasing power but improve their standard of living.

The sugar industry must also address, in the immediate future, the establishment of a Distillery and a Refinery. No longer can the industry continue to be a mere raw sugar producer. A Distillery would ensure that all our molasses will be used in a profitable manner. A refinery will provide Guyana the opportunity to become the region’s primary supplier of refined sugar. It is noted that Caribbean countries import approximately two hundred thousand (200,000) tonnes of refined sugar per annum.

GAWU pledges its member’s on-going support to keep the sugar industry on its feet. The industry’s success is the workers’ success, their very lives, their family’s well being and the nation’s economic survival in a sense.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Comrades, it would be remiss of me if I fail to make some comments on a phenomenon which has affected us all, no matter whom we are or where we live. I am speaking about Climate Change. In my May Day Address, I noted that the system of capitalism in pursuit of super profits, has been indiscriminately exploiting our planet’s resources in an unsustainable manner. I said that “it is this system that is at the root of the ecological crisis, resulting in climate change now affecting and threatening all corners of the globe.”

There is need for meaningful and tangible action to combat climate change. We hope that in December, this year, when parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meet in Copenhagen to agree on a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, the United States under President Obama and other historic polluters, make meaningful commitments to reduce their emissions. We also hope that the new agreement will reward countries like Guyana for their stewardship in preserving their forests under the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) initiative.

Comrades, at this time I wish to commend the Government of Guyana and particularly President Jagdeo, for their role in addressing the effects of Climate Change. The President, who was named one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of the Environment in 2008, has championed the need for us to preserve our forests if we are to stem rising global temperatures and avert large scale human catastrophe.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND ELECTRICITY

We would like to echo an area of national life which cries out for urgent continuous attention. We refer to the provision of a reliable, consistent and daily supply of cheap electricity to domestic, commercial and industrial users. The lack of a constant, dependable supply of electric power has been a problem since the late seventies.

Despite significant improvements as against the earlier periods with which we should cease to compare, this problem is bedeviling our society. In homes, in businesses, electric power is both too costly and too frequently withdrawn. We look forward to the commencement of operations at the new GPL 22 megawatt power station in Kingston which is expected to be commissioned by September, this year. We also look forward to the installation of the 69KV lines from Skeldon which will allow GPL to receive the full 9 megawatts available, at this time, to the National Grid from the Skeldon Factory.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Before I conclude, I wish to express our deep concern over the growing occurrence of Domestic Violence and take the opportunity to denounce this menace which is plaguing our society. Perpetrators of these despicable acts must face the full force of the Law. We must all work with agencies, including the Ministry of Human Services to stem this scourge in our society.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we look towards the future of our sugar industry with great hope. The Skeldon factory is now operational and construction of the packaging plant is imminent. To this day, every relative and co-worker of the five Martyrs still alive, must take heart from the fact that your industry, our industry still remains the backbone of the Guyanese economy.

Comrades, I wish to advise you that there are many heart-rending stories behind the scenes at and after Enmore, June 1948. The incidents tell of the system fashioned and foisted by the Europeans. They tell of exploitation and validation by their perpetrators. But the enduring legacy of Enmore is the SPIRIT of the downtrodden and the leaders of those, who arose. The PURPOSE of their sacrifice was never lost. We have inherited the fruits of their falling. Let us never waste their legacy.

Long Live the Enmore Martyrs!
Long Live the working class of Guyana!
Long Live the Republic of Guyana!