GTUC Arrival Day Message: Honouring Our Roots, Reaffirming Our Commitment to Unity and Justice

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends greetings to all Guyanese as we commemorate Arrival Day 2025, a national observance that honours the diverse peoples who came to these shores and contributed to the building of our nation.

May 5th marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Whitby in 1838, bringing the first group of East Indian indentured labourers to Guyana. While this moment is a key historical milestone, Arrival Day is also an opportunity to acknowledge all those who came to Guyana — whether through ancient migration across the Bering Strait, in chains as enslaved Africans, as indentured labourers from India, China, Africa and Portugal, or as voluntary migrants in search of opportunity and a better life.

Each group’s arrival — forced or voluntary — forms an integral part of the Guyanese identity. These communities laid the foundation for a resilient and richly woven society through their endurance, labour, and sacrifices.

The GTUC pays tribute to our ancestors and their descendants, recognising their vital roles in shaping our political, social, and economic landscape. Today, we honour all Guyanese equally, regardless of how their forebears arrived, and we stand firm in the belief that every citizen deserves dignity, respect, and opportunity.

As we reflect on this day, the GTUC renews its call for:

• Inclusionary democracy, where all voices are heard and represented;
• Equitable and equal distribution of the nation’s wealth, especially as Guyana enters a new era of economic transformation;
• And a society that rejects marginalisation and embraces the shared humanity of its people.

Arrival Day is not only about remembrance — it is also a call to action. Let us commit ourselves to justice, unity, and the building of a truly inclusive Guyana where every citizen, regardless of heritage, can thrive.

Happy Arrival Day to all Guyanese.