The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is celebrating 50 years of recognition in the Sugar Industry.

On Thursday at a special forum to recognise the milestone, President Irfaan Ali hailed the work of the union, and underscored the Government’s deep commitment to the Sugar and Bauxite Industries, which, for decades, have employed thousands of Guyanese workers.

President Ali said GAWU has stood the test of time stands as a bastion of workers’ struggles and a defender of the fundamental right to freedom.

He said the rights that sugar workers enjoy today did not emerge overnight, but were won painstakingly through struggle.

“GAWU’s fight for the rights of workers has been nothing short of legendary. It has stood firm in the face of adversity, advocating for fair wages, humane working conditions and respect for the dignity of labour. It has defended workers and has done so consistently across generations,” President Ali said.

The President said GAWU confronted a system that often sought to constrain its influence and limit its effectiveness, adding that even in those difficult years, the Union stood its ground.

Alluding to the Union’s strong historical and leadership ties to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), President Ali said it is known that the party played a foundational role in the establishment of the Union as he paid tribute to the late President, Cheddi Jagan.

He assured the Union that it has a friend and partner in the PPP/C.  President Ali said on the party’s return to Office in 2020, it brought significant investments to the Sugar and Bauxite Industries that had experienced significant job losses.

“The People’s Progressive Party did not waver, did not waver from that foundational role of standing with the workers, because our foundational principle is based on the workers, working for the workers, working for the upliftment of the workers. And even 50 years after, you know, the labour movement, you have a friend in the People’s Progressive Party government; you have a partner in the People’s Progressive Party Government, you have a commitment to workers in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government, President Ali said.

He said in keeping with that commitment to the workers, the PPP/C on its return to Office in 2020 paid sugar workers a 5% retroactive increase on their salaries amounting to $212 million, while those who were terminated under the coalition government received a cash grant totaling $1.3 billion, and some 1,400 employees were paid $285 million when there was extended mechanical breakage in the factory.

President Ali said today, more than 8,000 persons are working in the Sugar Industry because of the investments made by the PPP/C Government.

GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine, MP, said the observance was a celebration of struggle, sacrifice, courage and the enduring determination of workers who stood firmly for justice and dignity.

“Fifty years ago, on February 27, 1976, history was made when GAWU formally signed the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement with the Guyana Sugar Producers Association (SPA). That moment represented the culmination of decades of struggle by sugar workers who demanded the right to choose their own union, so their voices would be heard,” Narine said.

Narine explained that the struggle for recognition gained momentum in 1946, following the establishment of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU). Sugar workers, at the time, had grown deeply disenchanted with the then-recognised Man Power Citizens Association (MPCA).

He said in 1975, sugar workers, under the leadership of GAWU, took bold and determined strike action during both crops, demanding that GAWU be recognised as their bargaining agent.

“For several weeks, workers stood united in their demand for justice. It was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and resolve. The workers’ call could no longer be ignored. On December 31, 1975, the recognition poll was held. The results were decisive and overwhelming. GAWU secured ninety-nine (99) per cent of the votes cast, leaving no doubt about the will of the workers. Then on February 27, 1976, history was made when GAWU was formally recognised as the bargaining agent for sugar workers,” Narine explained.

He said over the decades, the union has worked tirelessly to strengthen workers’ position. He said through negotiation, advocacy, and collective action, significant improvements have been achieved.

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