MessagefromtheMayorofGeorgetown

Happy Labour Day to all the hardworking men and women in Guyana! Today is a time to reflecton the contributions made by workers and trade unions toward improvingthe lives of workingclass people and the struggles they have endured to gain their rights.

It is a time to honor HubertNathenial Critchlow, who foughtfor workers'rights and is regarded as the fatherof trade unionism in Guyana. I'd like to recognize and appreciate the work of the men and women employed by the Georgetown Municipality and represented by the Guyana Local Government Officer Union (GLGOU) and the GuyanaLabour Union (GLU). These employees provide various services to the community, I understand the challenges they face and the critical role they play in ensuring high-quality services for residents.

Trade unions have played a significant role in advocating for workers'rights and improvingsafety and health in the workplace. Although we face current challenges at the council, we need to take unconventionalsteps to sustain our employmentcosts while providingefficientservices to our citizens.

It is also important to rememberthatworkers are vital to the economic, social, and political well-beingof any nation. Every employee is valuable and plays a critical role in achievingthe overall economicgoals of the city and the country.

I am optimistic that we can achieve a paradigm shift in several areas, including payment of rates, implementingnew revenue-earningavenues, and improvingservices, and workingconditions. As the Mayor of Georgetown, I also acknowledge the essential role of trade unions in the lives of employees and I am committed to working with workers' representatives to advance their rights and interests.

The Mayorand Councillors of the City of Georgetown welcome the continued supportof the trade union as we work together to restore the city's beauty. Let's embrace collectivism and promote collaboration instead of confrontation to advance the city's progress in every area. Let's continue to work together towards a brighterfuture, where every employee is appreciated and respected fortheircrucialrole in our society.

Leaders fromtheGuyana PublicService Union (GPSU);theGuyana Agricultural &General Workers Union (GAWU);theClerical and Commercial Workers Union(CCWU); theNational Association ofClerical, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NACCIE); the Guyana Labour Union (GLU)and the Guyana Teachers Union(GTU).

President Alireiterated his government’s commitmenttoworking withallstakeholders to achieve the holistic upliftment of workers.

Hepointed tothe significance ofthe engagement andthe ensuing discussions and spoke ofthe relevance ofthe day and theimportance ofworkers' rights.

DrAliemphasised that inadvancing any cause, allstakeholders should unify around one commonagenda, whichis Guyana.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; Senior Minister within theOffice ofthe President withresponsibility forFinance, DrAshni Singh; Minister ofLabour, Joseph Hamilton; Minister ofPublicService, Sonia Parag were alsopresent.

(Source President IrfaanAli/Facebook) Request

Maydaymessage2023

THEME: BUILDING A STRONG PROGRESSIVE UNION TO RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES

FellowWorkers,

Today, May Day or Workers Day, we, in the PNCRand the Parliamentary Opposition, pause to say thank you to the thousands of you, past and present, who with your sacrifice of Blood, Sweat, Tears, Determination, and Dedication committed to the task of nation building, even in the face of oppression and suppression. We thank you for your continued love for the country amidst the trampling of your rights, the just past pandemic and the others that have plagued you as workers. You have shown great dexterity and resilience and forstandingyourgroundhave been bestowedwith the crown as CHAMPIONS.

Today, it is with humility, strength from those whose back we now stand on, decency and gratitude that we address you, the wheelturners. The theme this year, we find to be apt and fitting as indeed stronger and progressive unions is what is required to respond to the challenges of today which have increased. However, it must be noted that Unions must continue to build capacity among its ranks if it were to achieve this feat of responding. More than that, Union Leaders must be equipped with the knowledge, skills and tact to be able to skillfully navigate the path successfully.

As you would have noticed, it is the Workers who have keptthe wheels of this economy turning. It is the very workers who have been bravingthe effects of the high costof living, non-recognition by an uncaring government, poverty and all the otherills that come along with it, but continue to give of their best, and it is for this simple fact, We must SALUTE YOU! Workers, we say, must be valued irrespective of their gender, race, creed, religion, position or job responsibilities. There should be no disparity between men and women, pro-government or anti-government. This principle is universal and it is one of the front runners that the Labour Movementand its Leaders must hold onto and continue to champion the cause of its implementation.

Conditions of work

Unfortunately, the present conditions of work are still not beneficial to workers, as we have witnessed over the last year the many workplace accidents (both fatal and nonfatal), and the abuses - physical, emotional and sexual in nature - that continue to prevail. Lives were lost, workers maimed and scared, yet the powers that be see these incidents/accidents as just a mere passing one simply because the ordinary workeris not importantto them because you don'tfitinto theirgrouping. As a matterof fact, in their minds and mode of operation it’s “Let's carry on”. Our workers/citizens have been working under unacceptable conditions, for longer hours while receiving less money. These kinds of exploitations and atrocities must be foughtback by all and sundry. On this very note we must ask what systems have been put in place to assist the families of so many others who have lost their lives or who have been maimed? What is the governmentdoingto minimize these incidents/ accidents and the penalties? These mustbe made public.

You, our WorkingClass, deserve much better, especially since we, this country of ours, have been dubbed the "New Dubai" of the Caribbean and with the fastestgrowingeconomy. Our citizens/ourworkers must be able to live a better life. If this government wants us the citizens to take them seriously, then the President should, with immediate effect, commission the Judicial and Public Service Commission. He should appoint the Chancellorand the Chief Justice by Tuesday justlike he did in anothersector. For too

1823-2023. Bicentennialof the Demeraraslave rebellion long workers have been burdened with the task of being actors and actresses. Release those loops you have around the necks of our People. This government must understand that workers are having stood the test of time and should not be treated as beggars. They deserve to be appointed in every sectoras is deemed fit by the conditions set out. Workers deserve job security. The President must stop holding contract appointments and acting overthe heads of our citizens. May we hasten to add that this process mustbe free, fairand transparent.

As we have also recognized that in recent times the government has embarked on a route with the aim of puttingworkers againsteach other, and Union Leaders againsteach other. This new medicine of control must be rejected forthwith. Let us remind union leaders that you were not elected by the government and that you are nottheir puppets. You were elected by the Workers within the various sectors and your mandate is to serve and representyourmembership withoutfearor favour, so let me caution you, don't be dragged into the netof selling out your membership fora few pieces of silver because history will not be kind to you. Union Leaders must stand tall, decked out with decency, integrity and a commitment to fightforEquity, equality and fairness. Yourstruggle in essence should be to ensure and secure jobs, decent livable wages and conditions of work for your membership. We ask you leaders to raise your voice for betterhealth care and secured retirementpackages. As we are remindedby Aristotle who said, "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

In conclusion, the time has come for all of LABOUR to demand the return of Collective Bargaining. It is from this standpoint that our Citizens/our Workers will be given their rightful due. We must no longer acceptacross the board increases as this does notcater forinflation and the specifics as is required in the various sectors. This governmentmustreturn to the table with union leaders. There's an old saying that says, "Come see me and come live with me is a differentthing."We have seen thatwith this government and let us remind them: when you were in opposition you championed the call forthe return of collective bargaining. You are in governmentnow, do it!

Just in case you didn't know, Labour is the Ladderthrough which Human Dignity and Creative Excellence is expressed.

So today and for every day, we will continue to salute you the WorkingClass, who have stood to the task of Nation Building amidstthe challenges.

Long live the Working Class!

Happy LabourDay!

-END-

1823-2023. Bicentennialof the Demeraraslave rebellion

MESSAGEONPORTUGUESEARRIVALDAY2023-3rdMay

In commemoration of Portuguese Arrival Day 2023, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings to all Guyanese, especially those of Portuguese origin. This year, we observe the 188th anniversary of the arrival of the first Madeiran-Portuguese indentured immigrants to our Dear Land of Guyana.

The former Leader of the PNCR and President of Guyana, Mr. David Granger, issued a public notice on 27th February 2017, proclaiming 3rd May each yearas ‘Portuguese ArrivalDay.’ The intention behind the notice was to strengthen national integration and social cohesion by giving due respect and recognition to the various ethnicgroups which belongto our multicultural society.

On this anniversary, the PNCRthus reaffirms its recognition of the role played by Portuguese historically and presently in the nation’s development – particularly in agriculture, commerce, culture, education, law, manufacturing, religion, social organizations, shipping and sports.

HAPPYPORTUGUESEARRIVALDAYTO THE NATION. About

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a home based ministry. It is a Protestant Christian ministry based on the Wesleyan Holiness movement tradition. The Church was established on 7 January, 2007.