Enmore Martyrs left an “indelible mark” on country’s history – GAWU

Wreaths were on Tuesday laid by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union at the Enmore Martyrs’ gravesite in the Le Repentir Cemetery in remembrance of five sugar workers who died while advocating for better working conditions.

Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee also joined the act of showing solidarity in remembering the martyrs. Some 72 years ago, on June 16, five men: Harry, Lallabajee, Pooran, Surujballi and Rambarran, were fatally shot at the Enmore Sugar Estate, East Coast Demerara (ECD), after protesting the harsh conditions faced at the workplace and calling for better wages.
Against this backdrop, GAWU said, there were many erupting incidents during that time – all circulating around the mining sector and sugar industry. Workers were faced with discrimination and other ills by the colonial masters, which were left unheard. However, this incident resulted in the advocation of better rights for the working class and lower-level ranks.
According to the Union, the death of these workers was the ‘awakening’ needed for workers in the other sectors.
“The brutal repression of 1948 did not daunt the workers nor dampen their spirit. Indeed, militancy in the industry grew, and political awareness and activities expanded. Sugar workers’ right to be represented by a union of their choice was won in 1976. Sugar workers, under the aegis of GAWU, have taken part, along with other working people, in the struggles for political independence. They championed the nationalisation of the sugar industry; they stood up and fought for the restoration of democratic elections. These struggles took place side by side with other struggles to improve wages and working conditions throughout the industry, and for other workers,” the Union said.
While reflecting on this historic period, GAWU said there is a present crossroad which the country must leap over to uphold democracy. The current political climate, it said, shows that the legitimate government should be sworn-in.
“While we see their fervent efforts, we see too, the thousands of Guyanese who have stood up, and are standing up, to protect and uphold our democratic culture. Indeed, it tells us that the spirit of the Martyrs is alive and well; as many, like them, are standing up to those who seek to oppress them and to take away their rights. At this time, the GAWU remains firm that the elections were credibly conducted and the legitimate Government should take the reins of State.”
This year, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) also pledged not to let the sacrifices of the five Enmore Martyrs be forgotten on their 72nd death anniversary.
The PPP/C recalled the silent pledge its founder, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, made at the graveside of the five slain workers at the Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown: to dedicate his entire life to the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation.
Dr Jagan subsequently founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950.
This incident added motivation and propelled Dr Jagan and the PPP to fight against colonialism and for the betterment of the lives of all Guyanese.
According to the Party, those unrelenting struggles, during which Dr Jagan became a political prisoner, have characterised the PPP in its efforts to advance Guyana and the lives of Guyanese, as is evident from the unprecedented growth and development that hallmarked the various periods while it was in government.
To this end, the PPP/C said, the sacrifices of the Enmore Martyrs therefore have tremendous relevance in today’s context, given renewed and unremitting struggles that intensified following the historic no- confidence motion (NCM) against the APNU/AFC Government on December 21, 2018; struggles which continued to prevent a most uncaring regime from subverting democracy.