GAWU stands with oppressed, working-class citizens

…as body celebrates ‘International Action Day’

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has joined with the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and millions of workers in observing International Action Day (IAD) which is held on October 3.
In an issued statement on Tuesday, the Union stated that it stands with “the oppressed peoples and the working-class of the world,” hoping that the world will operate based on economic justice, democracy, peace and humane social relations. IAD 2018 is being observed under the theme “Ensure social security and free healthcare for all”.
Speaking on this year’s IAD theme, GAWU highlighted the plight and circumstances redundant sugar workers in Guyana are facing following the closure of estates in the last two years.
“Many Guyanese were touched and very moved by the circumstances the jobless

sugar workers and their families, especially the children, now must contend with. Across our country, people are finding themselves, more and more, in such difficult and hard conditions. Added to that, we see our country’s social protection institution – the NIS – finding itself in difficulties as well. Recent news reports advised that the NIS will record an $854.9 million deficit this year. This for the workers is worrying news and one which, the authorities must give undivided attention to,” GAWU outlined.
“GAWU recognises and supports a revitalised struggle by the international working-class around the question of unemployment and underemployment. We believe employment is an indispensable condition for a worker to lead and enjoy a full and satisfying life. We are quite aware that unemployment is a phenomenon inherent in the capitalist system and its final solution is tied up to realising profound changes of that profit driven socio-economic system,” the union body added.
The WFTU-sponsored IAD which has been observed for a number of years coincides with the WFTU’s foundation in 1945. GAWU speaking on the importance of the day said it brings into focus matters of serious concern to the global working-peoples and the world’s peoples generally. It added that the IAD 2018 comes 10 years since the global capitalist system entered its most far-reaching and devastating crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. This referred to the financial meltdown of 2008.
“A decade later none of the contradictions which produced the financial crisis has been purposefully addressed, much less overcome. Moreover, the very policies carried out to prevent a total meltdown of the financial system, involving the outlay of trillions of dollars by the US Federal Reserve and other major central banks, have only created, according to concerned economists, the conditions for an even bigger impending disaster,” GAWU stressed.
The body warned against the threat of war in the South China Sea, Middle East including Syria and in East Europe with Ukraine and the Russian Federation. “We see major military activities in the South China Sea. And, in several other countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, conflicts and war-mongering seem to be the new norm of mankind’s existence. In the countries so afflicted, not only do the people suffer greatly but there also are consequences for those countries’ future and for democracy,” GAWU noted.
The body also spoke out against the scourge of unemployment, reminding that over 190 million persons were unemployed at the end of 2017 according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It said too that last year around 42 per cent of workers worldwide are estimated to be in vulnerable forms of employment while more than 300 million workers in emerging and developing countries said to be in extreme poverty.
GAWU further called on stakeholders to implement measures to combat the threat of climate change which is now a more “regular occurrence” on the planet.