The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is sounding the alarm over the escalating assault on democratic freedoms, workers’ rights and the rule of law in Guyana. The growing use of state institutions against political opponents, the treatment of elected representatives and the continued incarceration of individuals facing criminal charges raise serious concerns about the direction in which the country is heading. Democracy cannot survive where political affiliation determines who enjoys the protection of the law and state power is used to intimidate, silence or punish dissent.
GTUC Meets With WIN
On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the GTUC met with representatives of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party to discuss human rights, the rule of law and the incarceration of Opposition Leader, the Hon Azruddin Mohamed, and Police Constables Ryan Green and Ashton Chappelle, who are facing cybercrime charges.
The GTUC was represented by President Norris Witter and General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, while WIN was represented by Members of Parliament Natasha Singh and Duarte Hetsberger, along with Shadow Minister of Labour Nandranie Singh.
The meeting was cordial, with both sides exchanging views on the country’s political and economic climate. The GTUC believes continued engagement is necessary as concerns about democratic governance and fundamental rights intensify.
Police Action Against WIN MP Raises Alarm
The GTUC is deeply concerned about the police action involving WIN parliamentarian Natasha Singh on Friday, November 13. Members of the Guyana Police Force reportedly entered her premises, resulting in her detention and subsequent release. Her husband, Shane Fordyce, was also detained and charged with terrorism.
The Congress views these developments against the backdrop of growing concerns about the treatment of the opposition and warns of an apparent pattern of intimidation involving state machinery.
Political opposition is not a crime, and the exercise of democratic rights must never become grounds for harassment. State institutions must serve the law, not operate as instruments of political pressure. Guyana is living in dangerous times, and silence in the face of threats to democratic freedoms only weakens their collective defence.
GTUC Demands Probe Into Interference With Opposition Leader’s Parliamentary Rights
The GTUC demands an investigation into who within the Guyana Prison Service issued the directive preventing Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed from participating in the National Assembly on Wednesday, November 11.
This follows Acting Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot’s public statement that he issued no such directive. The contradiction raises serious questions about who authorised the restriction and under what authority.
The individual responsible must be identified and held accountable. No prison official or public institution has the authority to arbitrarily obstruct Parliament or undermine the constitutional responsibilities of elected representatives.
Former Presidents’ Benefits Bill Must Be Scrapped
The GTUC rejects the deferral of the proposed legislation concerning benefits for former presidents and calls for the Bill to be scrapped altogether.
Public office is a responsibility to serve the people, not a pathway to excessive lifelong privileges at taxpayers’ expense. At a time when workers and ordinary Guyanese face economic pressures and inadequate access to essential services, public resources must prioritise healthcare, education, housing, workers’ welfare and national development.
The creation or preservation of special privileges for former political officeholders must be justified by the public interest, not political entitlement. Deferring the Bill does not resolve these concerns; withdrawing it does.
MV Barima Inquiry Exposes Systemic Failures
The GTUC remains deeply concerned by revelations emerging from the Commission of Inquiry into the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima.
Evidence presented points to serious failures in vessel operations, supervision, reporting structures and occupational health and safety. Workers operated in an environment where safety standards and proper procedures were disregarded, raising troubling questions about management oversight and the safeguards that should have protected their lives.
Those responsible for these failures must be held accountable, and corrective measures implemented to prevent another tragedy. Workers must never be forced to risk their lives because employers, managers or public institutions fail to enforce basic safety standards.
GTUC Demands Release Of Opposition Figures And Barima Workers
The GTUC reiterates its call for the release of Opposition Leader Mohamed and Constables Green and Chappelle. Their continued remand on bailable offence is a violation of their rights and must be condemned by all. This nation is on the precipice of crisis when political might replaces rights and abuse the rule of law.
The Congress also demands the release of the three transport workers charged with murder in connection with the MV Barima disaster: Kevin Price, Captain; Rondell Dwayne Roberts, Chief Mate; and Delon Granderson, Goods Superintendent.
The GTUC maintains that these workers must not become scapegoats for what the evidence emerging from the Commission of Inquiry points to as serious institutional, operational and management failures. Testimony and revelations about their working conditions raise fundamental questions about the safety systems, supervision and management responsibilities that should have protected the crew and passengers.
The Congress rejects any attempt to place the entire burden of responsibility on these workers while overlooking management and institutional obligations. Their respective responsibilities, the conditions aboard the vessel and the decisions of those in positions of authority must all receive proper scrutiny. Accountability must extend to every individual and institution whose actions or failures may have contributed to the tragedy.
Persecuting workers must not become a substitute for confronting systemic failures exposed by the disaster. Accidents do not happen, they are caused.
A Threat To One Is A Threat To All
The GTUC reiterates workers’ rights, democratic freedoms, the rule of law and institutional accountability are inseparable. Electoral victory does not give any government unrestricted authority over citizens or permit the use of state institutions to suppress dissent.
The Congress calls on its sister federation, civil society organisations, international partners and all Guyanese to speak out against abuses of authority and threats to democratic governance.
The defence of democracy is a collective responsibility. Silence in the face of injustice is dangerous.
The GTUC will continue to defend workers, uphold fundamental freedoms and demand accountability from those entrusted with public power. The rights of one citizen cannot be sacrificed without endangering the rights of all.
Guyana Trades Union Congress
Press Statement
November 14, 2026
