The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends acknowledgement to President Irfaan Ali, the incoming Leader of the Opposition, all Members of Parliament, and the Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Councillors at the Regional level, following the 2025 General and Regional Elections declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
As you assume office, GTUC reminds all elected and appointed officials that you are servants of the people. Your duty is not to power, but to public service. Guyana is a representative democracy—not a theocracy, not a monarchy—and all must be held accountable for the stewardship of this nation. No leader is above this responsibility.
GTUC cannot ignore the numerous anomalies observed during the electoral process. These irregularities marred the outcome. While some may label the elections as “free and fair,” GTUC—and the honest among us—acknowledge that they were not free from fear, nor free from serious flaws that challenge the credibility of the results.
The time for waiting is over. The time to fix the system is now. GTUC calls on members of the incoming National Assembly—any member—to exercise their constitutional right to table legislation that corrects the bloated and outdated Voters List and introduces biometrics to safeguard against fraud. This is not a partisan demand, but a democratic imperative.
GTUC further calls for a new political culture in Guyana—one that elevates discourse beyond weekly cussing and public insults. Our Constitution, at Article 13, calls for an “inclusionary democracy.” Articles 38 and 149C affirm the rightful role of trade unions as stakeholders in national development, and that all are equal before the law. This must be respected in practice, not just in words.
GTUC hereunder resubmits its 2019 Proposal to national and regional representatives, aimed at building a fair, harmonious, and just society. While aspects of this proposal were previously implemented by the Ali administration, we urge broader, inclusive adoption—free from fear, favour, and political coercion. No Guyanese should be made to align with a political party to access opportunities. Article 149 of our Constitution guarantees the right to be free from discrimination.
GTUC notes President Ali’s pledge to tackle corruption, respect the right to information, and govern inclusively. These must not be honoured in the breach. Systems must be implemented immediately to right past wrongs and move this country forward. For too long, corruption, political victimisation, and exclusionary practices have held Guyana back.
To those who feel disillusioned or excluded from the political process, GTUC urges renewed engagement. The resources of Guyana belong to all its people, not a privileged few. Silence must not be an option. When the trade union movement initiated the struggle in 1926 for one-man-one-vote and internal self-government, it was to ensure that ordinary men and women had a voice in shaping their future—not only by casting a vote every few years, but by remaining actively engaged in the daily affairs of governance.
Workers—paid and unpaid—built this country. We and our children must not be excluded from shaping its future. We demand respect, a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and equal treatment under the law. No foreign capital or labour must be placed above local workers.
GTUC stands ready to work with any and all stakeholders in pursuit of the people’s welfare, in the interest of building a truly united nation. We reaffirm our commitment to Guyana’s motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
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The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) submitted its proposal in 2019 to then President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo. The aim was to give practical meaning to the principle of “inclusionary democracy” as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution, through appropriate legislation, policies, and programmes. The proposal outlined the following:
1. Oil and gas industry–
i)Local Content Policy be reviewed by stakeholders, brought to the legislature and become law;
ii) Primacy be given to Guyanese- The rights and well-being of local business and workers be protected through strong legislation; preferential treatment be given where the goods, services and labour are locally available; training and education necessary to ensure the competitive advantage;
2. Education– enforcement of Article 27 (Right to free education from nursery to university) of the Constitution of Guyana. Prescribed amount of revenue from oil and gas be allocated to the education sector, and some emphasis be placed on modernising the University of Guyana;
3. Health -health sector structures must be put in place in all ten (10) administrative regions to improve Preventative and Curative care. Urgent need for better cancer, renal (kidney), diabetic and hypertensive care;
4. Composition of State Boards– at least 50 of the State Boards be comprised of representatives from among the political parties sitting in the National Assembly based on their percentage, with the remaining comprising of the other relevant stakeholders;
5. Establishment of the Human Rights Commission– To give meaning to Constitutional provisions in Title 1 “Protection of the Individual Fundamental Rights and Freedoms’ via national policy, programmes and legislation, protecting all and leaving none behind;
6. Establishment & continual function of all Constitutional Commissions and Tribunal, and Boards– When the life of one comes to an end and for any reason a new one has not been constituted the life of the current board, commission or tribunal shall continue, until such time that the appropriate action is taken. This ensures continuity in governance;
7. Women representation– Amendment to The Representation of the People Act to make mandatory at least a third of women sitting in the National Assembly. Presently the percentage is confined to being on the List of Representatives but does not necessarily translate to be seated in the National Assembly;
8. Senior citizens– deepening of social services for this demographic who served this nation faithfully. Retirement must ensure continuity of dignity not the beginning of deprivation;
9. Youth– consistent
10. National Budget– to be considered passed having received no less than 60 percent of the votes of all elected member in the National Assembly. This would necessitate greater participation by Members of Parliament and the respective communities in ensuring the distribution of resources across demographics and administrative regions in order for passage of the Bill;
11. Judiciary– Full staffing and confirmation and revisiting the present constitutional model to appoint the Chancellor and Chief justice. A stable, well-staffed and functioning judiciary aids confidence in securing citizens’ well-being and bringing about good governance.
Articles of the Guyana Constitution.
Article 13– Objective of political
Article 38– National co-operation for development of economy– “It is the duty of the State, co-operatives, trade unions, other socioeconomic organisations and the people through sustained and disciplined endeavours to achieve the highest possible levels of production and productivity and to develop the economy in order to ensure the realisation of the rights set out in this Chapter”
Article 149C- ‘Right to participate in decision making processes of the State-’ “No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of participating through co-operatives, trade unions, civic or socio-economic organisations of a national character, in the management and decision-making processes of the State.
GTUC’s Press Statement September 8, 2025
