The PNCR says the rights the Enmore sugar workers struggled for are under threat as the nation observes the 61st anniversary of their death.
In a press release the party said it honours the memory of Enmore Martyrs Harry, Puran, Lallabajee, Rambarran and Surujballi who lost their lives in the struggle for better working conditions. It said too “That struggle became a symbol around which the entire Guyanese nation could rally and which served as a source of inspiration to promote the rights of workers.” The martyrdom of these workers propelled the nation to play close attention to the needs and rights of workers for some time; however, these rights are under attack, “as the Jagdeo Administration has literally declared war on the Trades Union movement and the Guyanese working class.”
The PNCR said today workers are grossly underpaid and in particular, public servants do not have the right to collective bargaining. It laments too that the Critchlow Labour College which is intended to boost workers education has been almost destroyed. “Above all things, there must be a serious struggle in this country to end the deliberate division of the labour movement,” the PNCR said.
In order to commemorate Enmore Martyrs Day, it said the labour movement and workers must seek to recapture the spirit of this period and work to erase punitive legislation such as the Trade Union Recognition (Amendment) Act and the Essential Services Act and work within their respective organisations for better wages, salaries and working conditions.
The PNCR said too as it remembers the Enmore Martyrs it pledges to defend the rights of Guyanese workers so that they can enjoy better conditions at work and boost productivity while providing for their families and the nation.
