In 2019, before first oil production began, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) advanced a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening inclusive governance and ensuring that the anticipated benefits of oil wealth would reach all citizens.
The proposals, submitted to then President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo—with a copy also shared with the Civil Society Forum—were intended to guide national dialogue and inform legislative, policy, and programme development aimed at giving practical effect to constitutional provisions on participatory democracy, particularly Article 13.
At the time, Guyana had not yet begun oil production but was already aware of the vastness of its offshore reserves and the significant financial gains expected. Today, that reality has materialised. Since first oil in 2019, production has risen to approximately 900,000 barrels per day, generating over US$6 billion in revenues, with annual earnings now exceeding US$2 billion.
Oil wealth and local participation
Central to the GTUC’s recommendations was the management of the oil and gas sector. The organisation called for a Local Content Policy to be reviewed by stakeholders, taken to Parliament, and enacted into law.
It further urged that “primacy be given to Guyanese,” stressing that the rights and well-being of local businesses and workers must be protected through strong legislation. The proposal also called for preferential treatment where goods, services, and labour are locally available, supported by training and education to ensure competitiveness.
Investment in social sectors
The GTUC placed significant emphasis on education and healthcare. It called for enforcement of Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees free education from nursery to university, and recommended that a prescribed portion of oil revenues be allocated to the sector. Modernisation of the University of Guyana was also highlighted as a priority.
In healthcare, the proposals advocated for improved systems across all ten administrative regions, with a focus on both preventative and curative care. Particular attention was drawn to the need for enhanced treatment for cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
Governance and representation reforms
The GTUC also outlined a series of governance reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and inclusivity. Among them was a proposal that at least 50 percent of state boards include representatives from political parties in the National Assembly, proportionate to their representation, with the remainder drawn from other stakeholders.
The organisation further called for the establishment of the Human Rights Commission to give effect to constitutional protections under “Protection of the Individual Fundamental Rights and Freedoms,” ensuring that no group is excluded.
To ensure continuity in governance, the GTUC recommended that constitutional commissions, tribunals, and boards remain operational beyond their official term until new bodies are constituted.
Inclusion of women, youth, and senior citizens
The proposals also addressed representation and social protection. The GTUC called for amendments to electoral laws to guarantee that at least one-third of those seated in the National Assembly are women, moving beyond current requirements that apply only to candidate lists.
For senior citizens, the organisation urged the expansion of social services, stating that “retirement must ensure continuity of dignity not the beginning of deprivation.”
Youth engagement was also prioritised, with recommendations for structured programmes—developed with young people themselves—to ensure their active participation in national development.
Budget reform and judicial strengthening
In an effort to deepen parliamentary engagement, the GTUC proposed that the national budget should require at least 60 percent support from all elected members of the National Assembly for passage. This, it argued, would encourage broader consultation and more equitable distribution of resources.
The judiciary was another area of concern. The GTUC called for full staffing of the courts, confirmation of key judicial positions, and a review of the constitutional process for appointing the Chancellor and Chief Justice, noting that a stable judiciary is essential to good governance and public confidence.
Constitutional grounding
The proposals were anchored in the Constitution of Guyana, particularly Article 13, which states that “the principal objective of the system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State.”
They also referenced Article 38, which outlines the duty of the State, trade unions, and other organisations to work collectively toward economic development and the realisation of citizens’ rights.
The GTUC maintained that achieving these objectives requires legislative action, policy reform, and sustained consultation with stakeholders—an argument that has taken on added urgency as Guyana’s oil wealth continues to expand.
