Marking Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has urged the nation to recommit itself to democracy, inclusion and social justice, warning that political division, exclusion and widening inequality threaten the promise of a prosperous and united future. The labour body also paid tribute to generations of workers whose labour and sacrifice laid the foundation for the country’s development and democratic advancement.
“The 60th Anniversary of Independence provides an opportunity not only to celebrate nationhood but also to honour those whose sacrifices made it possible,” the GTUC said. “From the plantations and mines to the classrooms, hospitals, factories and public institutions, workers have been the architects of Guyana’s progress and the guardians of its democratic development.”
The Congress used the occasion to highlight the historic role of organised labour in Guyana’s political evolution, noting that the struggle for Independence began long before political parties assumed centre stage.
According to the GTUC, “a century ago (1926), it was organised labour, led by National Hero and Father of Trade Unionism Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, that laid the foundation for the freedoms Guyanese enjoy today.”
Critchlow, the Father of the Trade Union Movement in Guyana and the British Empire, founded the British Guiana Labour Union in 1919 and was instrumental in advancing workers’ rights and political representation. The labour movement’s advocacy for improved working conditions, universal adult suffrage and internal self-government helped create the conditions that eventually culminated in Independence on May 26, 1966.
“The labour movement championed the fight for workers’ rights, social justice, universal adult suffrage (one man, one vote) and internal self-government, helping to create the conditions that ultimately led to political independence,” the GTUC stated, adding that Guyana’s democratic journey remains inseparable from the sacrifices of the working class.
The labour body also cautioned against viewing Guyana’s development solely through the lens of its recent oil wealth, arguing that the country’s progress was built over decades by workers across multiple sectors.
“The story of Guyana’s development did not begin with oil, nor with any one government,” the statement said. “It was forged through the sweat of bauxite workers, sugar workers, farmers, teachers, nurses, public servants, miners, artisans and countless others whose contributions laid the foundation for national progress.“
While acknowledging Guyana’s economic transformation, the GTUC expressed concern that many citizens continue to face rising living costs, economic uncertainty and growing disparities despite the country’s unprecedented revenues from the petroleum sector.
“Guyana today possesses unprecedented wealth and opportunity, yet many citizens continue to grapple with rising living costs, economic insecurity and widening inequality,” the Congress said. “The true measure of independence is not the wealth a nation generates, but whether its people enjoy a fair share of that prosperity and the dignity that comes with it.“
The organisation also raised concerns about what it described as persistent divisions within society, warning that political tribalism, exclusion and intolerance undermine efforts to build a cohesive nation.
“We are equally concerned by the divisions that continue to undermine national unity. Political tribalism, exclusion, intolerance of differing views and unequal treatment have no place in a democratic society,” the statement said.
The GTUC argued that national unity cannot be achieved if sections of the population feel marginalised or excluded from meaningful participation in public life. It maintained that unity must be grounded in respect for democratic institutions, adherence to the rule of law, accountability, social justice and equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of race, religion, class, geography or political affiliation.
“Unity is built through fairness and trust, not through rhetoric alone,” the Congress declared.
As the nation marks its Diamond Jubilee, the GTUC urged leaders to embrace the values championed by Critchlow and generations of workers who fought for political representation, workers’ rights and national self-determination.
“The sacrifices of those who fought for workers’ rights, political representation and national self-determination demand nothing less,” the statement said. “Let this Diamond Jubilee be not only a fleeting celebration of our past achievements but a renewed commitment to building a Guyana where democracy is strengthened, institutions are respected, opportunities are shared and every citizen has a stake in the nation’s future.“
The message concluded with congratulations to the nation on its 60th anniversary of Independence while reiterating the need for a more inclusive and equitable future for all Guyanese.
See full statement
The 60th Anniversary of Independence provides an opportunity not only to celebrate nationhood but also to honour those whose sacrifices made it possible. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) salutes the generations of workers who built this nation through their labour, courage and determination. From the plantations and mines to the classrooms, hospitals, factories and public institutions, workers have been the architects of Guyana’s progress and the guardians of its democratic development.
This occasion is also an opportunity to remember that the struggle for Independence did not begin in the halls of political power. A century ago (1926), it was organised labour, led by National Hero and Father of Trade Unionism Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, that laid the foundation for the freedoms Guyanese enjoy today. The labour movement championed the fight for workers’ rights, social justice, universal adult suffrage (one man, one vote) and internal self-government, helping to create the conditions that ultimately led to political independence. Guyana’s democratic journey is inseparable from the sacrifices and struggles of the working class.
The story of Guyana’s development did not begin with oil, nor with any one government. It was forged through the sweat of bauxite workers, sugar workers, farmers, teachers, nurses, public servants, miners, artisans and countless others whose contributions laid the foundation for national progress. Their labour built our institutions, sustained our economy and strengthened our society.
As we commemorate this historic milestone, we do so with pride in our achievements but also with concern for the state of our nation. Guyana today possesses unprecedented wealth and opportunity, yet many citizens continue to grapple with rising living costs, economic insecurity and widening inequality. The true measure of independence is not the wealth a nation generates, but whether its people enjoy a fair share of that prosperity and the dignity that comes with it.
We are equally concerned by the divisions that continue to undermine national unity. Political tribalism, exclusion, intolerance of differing views and unequal treatment have no place in a democratic society. A nation cannot achieve genuine unity when sections of its population feel marginalised, unheard or excluded from meaningful participation in national life.
National unity must be more than a slogan. It requires respect for democratic institutions, adherence to the rule of law, accountability in public office, social justice and equal opportunity for every citizen regardless of race, religion, class, geography or political affiliation. Unity is built through fairness and trust, not through rhetoric alone.
As Guyana marks sixty years of Independence, the GTUC calls on all Guyanese, and particularly those entrusted with leadership, to recommit themselves to the principles that inspired the struggles of Critchlow and the generations that followed: democracy, equality, inclusion, justice and respect for human dignity.
The sacrifices of those who fought for workers’ rights, political representation and national self-determination demand nothing less. Let this Diamond Jubilee be not only a fleeting celebration of our past achievements but a renewed commitment to building a Guyana where democracy is strengthened, institutions are respected, opportunities are shared and every citizen has a stake in the nation’s future.
Happy 60th Independence Anniversary, Guyana.
