Republic Day Message- Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)
As the nation observes its 53rd Anniversary of the Republic it is interesting to note that even as the citizenry demonstrates a high fervour of nationalism and passion as Guyanese, the national symbols and ethos are in neglect.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress believes that the time has come for serious introspection with a view of harnessing the passion and potential of the citizens, motivating them to achieve and work towards focused objectives for the benefit of this nation.
As Mashramani is being observed one would have expected we would be working towards deepening our original objectives, strengthening our right to self determination as a unitary force with our national motto of “One People, One Nation , One Destiny” amplified; not competing in second place to the ‘one Guyana’ slogan.
It is unfortunate instead of moving towards a cohesive society, forces in high places are at work, to divide the people.
This holiday, is named in honour of our First Peoples, and as customary with their tradition, we take time to celebrate after hard work. Fifty three years after Republican status and after celebrating Mashramani as our own indigenous event we see the labour of some not justly rewarded.
We see diminishing returns to government workers, pensioners and increasingly wide gaps between the rich and the poor.
Our indigent and differently able are no better off. Our nation’s, women and children live a life of increasing daily risks and struggles not knowing what next deprivation they will face.
To the contrary we see President Ali and his elite cohorts live and flaunt a life of plenty in the face of increasing poverty.
Many of Guyana’s children and their elected representatives continue to be excluded from participation in the development processes of the country as the Ali regime ignores constitutional mandate for inclusion and disburses with the nation’s money in a discriminatory manner.
As Guyanese, we must stand up and demand what we are entitled to. We must not be afraid and must never give up our right to fight for our nation and the rights of every single Guyanese, regardless of race, colour, class or creed.
We work to build, we sow and we have the right to reap and enjoy all our nation’s resources
without prejudice.
Happy Mashramani to all Guyanese.
