The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) will stage its annual May Day march and rally on Friday, May 1, bringing workers from across Guyana together under the theme: “100 Years Fighting for One Man, One Vote (1926–2026) – Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow & Workers.”
The observance of International Workers’ Day comes at a time of growing concern among labour leaders over the rising cost of living, wage pressures, workers’ rights and what they say is the increasing marginalisation of organised labour in national governance.
The day’s activities will commence at 7:00 a.m. with a march from Burnham Ground/Independence Court to the Guyana Local Government Officers Union on Woolford Avenue.
At 10:00 a.m., a rally will be held at the Guyana Local Government Officers Union, where workers and union representatives are expected to gather for addresses and solidarity messages.
International Workers’ Day, observed globally on May 1, commemorates the historic struggle of workers for fair wages, safe working conditions and the eight-hour workday. Its origins trace back to the 1886 Haymarket labour protests in Chicago, Illinois, where workers demanded better labour protections and shorter working hours. Over time, it evolved into a global symbol of workers’ solidarity and the ongoing fight for economic and social justice.
Leading this year’s observances in Guyana will be GTUC President Norris Witter, General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, and Immediate Past President Coretta McDonald.
Speakers at the rally will include Lewis, Witter and other invited speakers, who are expected to address issues affecting workers and the future of organised labour in Guyana.
This year’s theme highlights the historic contribution of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, regarded as the father of trade unionism in Guyana and the Caribbean, whose work laid the foundation for organised labour and the expansion of democratic rights, including universal adult suffrage.
Lewis has used Labour Week to raise concerns about the future of labour in Guyana, arguing that despite the country’s rapid economic growth, workers continue to face economic hardship and growing exclusion from national decision-making.
“Labour built this nation, and more than any institution outside of government, it laid the groundwork for the social justice framework that ensures equal rights for all,” Lewis said.
He warned, however, that labour’s role is being diminished.
“While labour remains a key social partner in governance… it is increasingly marginalised in today’s political climate,” he said.
Lewis also pointed to the pressures workers face from rising living costs and called for stronger protections, fair wages and respect for collective bargaining rights.
“It’s this right that ensures employers cannot arbitrarily set wages or impose harsh conditions without the consultation of organised labour,” he said.
The GTUC’s May Day march is expected to draw participation from affiliated unions representing workers in the public service, education, transport and clerical sectors, in what organisers say will be a strong show of solidarity and continued resistance against economic injustice and workplace exploitation.
The union body says this year’s observance will not only celebrate labour’s historic achievements but also reaffirm the ongoing struggle for workers’ dignity, fair wages and social justice in Guyana’s evolving economy.
