Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)-CARICOM Day 2026 Message
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) joins the governments and peoples of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in commemorating CARICOM Day, marking the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973, which established the Caribbean Community as the principal vehicle for regional integration, cooperation and collective development.
As we observe this important occasion, we honour the foresight and leadership of CARICOM’s founding fathers—Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Errol Barrow of Barbados, Michael Manley of Jamaica and Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago. They understood that the small states of the Caribbean would be better positioned to safeguard their sovereignty, strengthen their economies and improve the welfare of their citizens through unity, mutual respect and collective action.
More than five decades later, that vision continues to inspire the Region.
CARICOM was founded to promote economic integration, functional cooperation, coordinated foreign policy, sustainable development and improved living standards for the peoples of the Caribbean. It was also envisioned as a Community where democracy, the rule of law, human rights, social justice and equitable development would serve as the pillars of regional progress.
The Community has recorded notable achievements in education, public health, disaster preparedness, security cooperation, trade, culture and the free movement of skilled nationals. The response to regional crises, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrated that Caribbean solidarity is not merely an aspiration but a practical necessity.
Yet the promise of regional integration remains only partially fulfilled.
Many Caribbean citizens continue to grapple with high unemployment, widening inequality, rising food and energy costs, public debt, climate change, organised crime, migration pressures and growing external geopolitical uncertainty. These realities underscore the need for stronger regional institutions and more decisive collective action.
The GTUC is also concerned that implementation of CARICOM decisions continues to lag behind the commitments made by Heads of Government. Regional integration cannot advance at the pace required if national interests consistently outweigh regional obligations. The Community’s credibility ultimately rests not only on the agreements it reaches, but on its willingness to honour and implement them.
As representatives of working people, we believe the Caribbean integration movement must place greater emphasis on creating decent work, protecting workers’ rights, strengthening social dialogue, advancing food and energy security, improving education and skills development, and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably among all citizens.
The GTUC commends CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett for her steadfast leadership during a period of significant regional and global challenges. We reaffirm our support for her continued efforts to strengthen the Community’s institutions, deepen regional cooperation and promote sustainable, inclusive development for all member states.
The Congress also urges the Region’s political leaders to recommit themselves to the principles upon which CARICOM was founded. Leadership must rise above narrow political considerations and demonstrate the courage, vision and commitment necessary to deepen integration, strengthen democratic governance, uphold the independence of regional institutions, and protect the interests of Caribbean people.
The challenges confronting the Caribbean cannot be overcome by any one nation acting alone. Whether addressing climate resilience, economic transformation, regional security, public health, labour mobility or food production, our greatest strength lies in our unity.
On this CARICOM Day, the Guyana Trades Union Congress calls on governments, employers, workers, youth and civil society to renew their commitment to the ideals of the Caribbean Community. Let us continue building a Region where cooperation triumphs over division, justice prevails over inequality, and shared prosperity becomes a reality for every Caribbean citizen.
The vision embraced in Chaguaramas more than 53 years ago remains worthy of our unwavering commitment. It is now the responsibility of this generation to preserve, strengthen and pass that legacy on to those who follow.
Happy CARICOM Day to the peoples of the Caribbean Community. May our Region continue to grow stronger through unity, solidarity and a shared commitment to peace, democracy, justice and sustainable development.
