The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has called on Guyanese to continue the struggle for social justice, democratic freedoms and racial inclusion in honour of veteran political activist Eusi Kwayana, who died on Saturday, October 10. Kwayana was 101 years old
In a press statement issued on October 13, the GTUC described Kwayana, formerly known as Sydney King, as a defining figure in Guyana’s transition from colonial rule to independence, whose life was marked by resistance, sacrifice and a sustained commitment to building a better country for all Guyanese.
The trade union body said Kwayana’s passing had left a significant void, but urged the nation to ensure that the causes he championed did not die with him.
“The GTUC calls on Guyanese to honour Kwayana not simply with tributes, but by continuing the struggle to which he devoted his life.”
Kwayana was among the political figures associated with the introduction of universal adult suffrage in British Guiana in 1953, a landmark in the country’s democratic development. The GTUC noted that the struggle for the right to vote had deep roots in the trade union movement, which championed universal adult suffrage as a central demand in 1926.
The statement also highlighted the formation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950, the country’s first mass-based political party, which brought together several figures who helped shape Guyana’s political and social development. These included Kwayana, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Jane Phillips-Gay, Ashton Chase and Janet Jagan.
Critchlow is widely recognised as the father of the trade union movement in Guyana and the British Commonwealth.
The GTUC said the contributions of these pioneers demonstrated that democratic rights were secured through organised struggle, courage and determination.
Kwayana’s activism included a hunger strike, petitions and protests against what he regarded as injustice. According to the GTUC, he consistently advocated racial inclusion, accountability and a society in which no citizen was denied a voice or excluded from opportunities because of race or political affiliation.
The union said his life’s work challenged Guyana to move beyond political and racial divisions and ensure that national development benefited all citizens.
It stressed that independence must be measured not simply by who holds political power, but by the justice, dignity and equality people experience in their daily lives.
The GTUC called on citizens to defend workers’ rights, protect democratic freedoms, demand accountability and confront racial division, arguing that these were essential to fulfilling the aspirations of the country’s founding generations.
“The responsibility now rests with us to pick up where he left off and continue to fight the good fight,” the statement said.
The union also urged Guyanese to give practical meaning to the national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny,” by respecting the country’s diversity and working towards a society built on shared humanity and mutual respect.
The GTUC extended condolences to Kwayana’s family, friends and comrades, expressing hope that his legacy would inspire continued efforts to build a just, inclusive and united Guyana.
See full statement below
Press Statement
Guyana Trades Union Congress
October 13, 2026
GTUC Mourns Eusi Kwayana, a Tireless Champion of Justice, Equality and National Unity
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) mourns the passing of Eusi Kwayana, who died on Saturday, October 10, leaving behind a legacy of resistance, sacrifice and an unrelenting struggle for a just, inclusive and united Guyana.
Kwayana, formerly Sydney King, was among the defining figures in Guyana’s journey from colonial rule to independence and beyond. His life was dedicated to challenging injustice, demanding accountability and advancing the vision of a country in which all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation, could live with dignity and equal opportunity.
He was the last surviving member of the group elected in 1953 under the historic Waddington Commission arrangements that ushered in universal adult suffrage—a landmark democratic achievement forged through decades of struggle.
That battle had deep roots in the trade union movement, which championed universal adult suffrage as a central demand in 1926. The struggle gained further momentum with the formation of the People’s Progressive Party in 1950, Guyana’s first mass-based political party. Its ranks included Kwayana, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, recognised as the father of the trade union movement in Guyana and the British Commonwealth, Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Jane Phillips-Gay, Ashton Chase and Janet Jagan, among others.
Together, these pioneers helped shape the political and social foundations of modern Guyana. Their sacrifices remind us that the democratic rights and freedoms we inherit were neither gifts nor accidents; they were won through organised struggle, courage and determination.
Kwayana’s commitment to principle was evident in his hunger strike, petitions and persistent protests against injustice. He refused to remain silent when he believed the country was falling short of its promise. His advocacy for racial inclusion and a better Guyana for all challenged the nation to rise above division and build a society in which no citizen is excluded from its opportunities or denied a voice.
His passing leaves a profound void, but it must not leave his causes unattended. The GTUC calls on Guyanese to honour Kwayana not simply with tributes, but by continuing the struggle to which he devoted his life.
That means defending workers’ rights, protecting democratic freedoms, demanding accountability and confronting racial division wherever it arises. It means insisting that Guyana’s development benefits all its people and that independence is measured not merely by who governs, but by the justice, dignity and equality enjoyed by every citizen.
The responsibility now rests with us to pick up where he left off and continue to fight the good fight. We can do no less if we are committed to the dreams of our founding fathers and mothers: a nation that respects its diversity, embraces its shared humanity and lives together in peace and mutual respect.
“One People, One Nation, One Destiny” must be more than a national motto; it must be our collective undertaking.
The GTUC extends heartfelt condolences to Kwayana’s family, friends, comrades and all who were inspired by his life.
May his legacy strengthen our resolve to build the just, inclusive and united Guyana for which he fought.
May his soul rest in peace
