The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has issued a rousing Easter message, calling on the Christian community to reflect deeply on the teachings of Jesus Christ and to boldly confront the social and economic injustices plaguing the nation.
In its message, the GTUC extended Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially Christians, urging them to embrace the true essence of the season: love, sacrifice, compassion, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
While Christ taught obedience to earthly authority, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s,” the federated body reminded the public that Jesus also condemned unjust rulers who lacked mercy and failed to care for the marginalised. “This Easter, we are reminded that the resurrection of Christ is not just a symbol of salvation, but a call to action, affirming that all are equal in worth and dignity,” the GTUC stated.
GTUC argues that Guyana continues to drift from this ideal. The GTUC decried what it sees as a worsening crisis in governance marked by growing inequality, exclusion of civil society from key national decisions, and systemic marginalisation of those who speak out against the government.
Half of the society, particularly Opposition supporters, are treated as outsiders and unworthy citizens, the message said, noting that Article 13 of the Constitution, which calls for inclusionary democracy, is routinely ignored.
Economic disparities are becoming starker, the GTUC warned, with inflation rising steadily and pushing basic necessities out of reach for many. The working poor, pensioners, and the unemployed are especially hard hit, as stagnant wages and one-off grants do little to ease their burden.
Despite Guyana’s oil-fueled economic boom and a GDP growth rate among the highest in the world, the GTUC said the vast majority of citizens remain trapped in poverty. Citing recent World Bank and UNICEF data, the union highlighted that nearly half of the population lives in poverty, while an alarming 20% of children experience severe food poverty—consuming only two food groups a day. Another 40% endure moderate food poverty, receiving only half their required daily nutrition.
“Guyana is fast becoming a tale of two cities,” the statement warned, “one that is drifting further and further from the founding vision of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.’”
The GTUC invoked the Christian call to justice, quoting Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause.” The union called on Christians to “put on the full armour of God,” and take to the streets, workplaces, and communities to advocate for fairness and accountability.
“The Christian God is a God of mercy, but also a God of accountability,” the GTUC reminded, emphasizing that spiritual faith must be matched by action in the public sphere. The suffering of even one citizen, the union declared, should be a concern for all.
As Guyanese mark Easter, the GTUC urged the faithful to make the resurrection not just a celebration, but a catalyst for renewed commitment to building a more compassionate, inclusive, and just society.
“Let this Easter be the beginning of a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow,” the message concluded.
See statement below:
GTUC’s Easter Message: Embracing Christ’s Teachings in the Fight for Justice and Equality
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Christian brothers and sisters. In these times of trials and tribulations, it is important to remind the Christian community of its moral and spiritual obligation to emulate the life and work of Jesus Christ.
While Christ urged His followers to render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar—such as obeying the law and paying taxes—He also denounced leaders who governed without compassion for the vulnerable.
This Easter, which holds profound significance for the Christian faith, symbolises the power of love, sacrifice, and a compassionate approach to our fellow man. The resurrection of Jesus Christ brought salvation to all, affirming the fundamental Christian belief that all are equal in worth and dignity.
Yet, Guyana continues to face a deepening crisis in governance—one marked by the marginalisation of the vulnerable and the treatment of half the society, particularly those seen as government critics, as outsiders and unworthy citizens.
Disparities in the management of the economy are widening. Civil society’s calls for inclusion in national decision-making processes are consistently ignored, despite Article 13 of the Constitution mandating inclusionary democracy. The poor and vulnerable are denied social and economic justice.
Meanwhile, inflation continues to rise, eroding real wages pushing essential items out of reach for the working poor, pensioners, and the unemployed.
Guyana is fast becoming a tale of two cities, moving further from the founding vision of treating all with respect and dignity under the banner of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
A sense of hopelessness hangs over the nation like a dark cloud. Though Guyana boasts of being the world’s fastest-growing economy and among the richest per capita, the vast majority of Guyanese do not benefit from this prosperity. Wages, salaries, and pensions have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. One-off cash grants are a band-aid solution—many use them not for investment, but to pay off mounting debts.
According to recent World Bank data, approximately half of the population lives in poverty. A UNICEF report highlights that 20% of Guyanese children suffer from “severe food poverty,” meaning their families can afford only two food groups per day, while 40% experience “moderate food poverty,” receiving just half of their required daily nutrition. These are troubling signs that, despite the oil boom, many Guyanese are no better off than before.
For the GTUC, the suffering of one is the concern of all. Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere.
The Christian God is a God of mercy, but also of accountability. The GTUC calls on the Christian community to put on the full armour of God, to stand united, and to go into the highways and byways doing the will of the Father. As Isaiah 1:17 commands: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause.”
Let this Easter be a time of renewed purpose and spiritual awakening—where Christians in Guyana, as in times past and in other nations today, rise to take a public stand for justice, equality, and righteousness.
May this be the beginning of a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow.
