The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) discussed with Guyana’s two trades union federations the importance of unifying the labour movement and possible steps that can be taken to achieve this, during a recent visit here.
According to a press release the CCL raised the issue with the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG) as it has been engaged in this endeavour since 2007. During its three-day visit the delegation, led by David Messiah, President of the CCL, emphasised the vital role the Guyana labour movement has to play within the region to advance the cause of labour and to strengthen its voice.
The CCL will also consider an application of affiliation from FITUG, which will be deliberated at its upcoming General Council meeting set for Barbados, the release said. Discussions between the CCL and the TUC as well as with FITUG examined possible mechanisms upon which unification of the movement can be achieved.
The team, which also included CCL General Secretary, Chester Humphrey; Sir Roy Trotman, member of the CCL General Council, Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union and former President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Union (ICFTU); CCL first Vice-President Ann Marie Burkes and Administrative Secretary Sylvia Leacock also paid a courtesy call on President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Jagdeo, Messiah and Sir Roy had had initial discussions during the Intersessional Caricom Heads of Government in Grenada earlier this year. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on new Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque.