President Ramotar urges emulation of Enmore Martyrs

Written by Nadine Sanchara, Sunday, 16 June 2013 22:29, Source - Guyana Chronicle

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday called upon those involved in the sugar industry in any way to take an example from the Enmore Martyrs and make the necessary sacrifices towards reversing the industry from its current state, which he said can be described as “almost a crisis.”

The President was at the time  addressing

a gathering at the Enmore Monument Site for the annual rally to honour the five Martyrs, Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Dhookie, Rambarran and Harry who died on June 16, 1948 while protesting for better working conditions on the sugar estate, better wages and for the recognition of a union of their choice.

The President said that for a very long time the sugar industry was the only industry in Guyana, and that citizens ought to be thankful for the role that it has played in the history and development of this country.

He pointed out that many other sectors in Guyana have had their beginnings and origins in the sugar industry and stated that this is why it is important to recognise that now is the time that the industry has an even bigger role to play in the development of Guyana.

Noting that the present condition of the industry can be described as “almost a crisis” the president exhorted that the resuscitation of the industry is very important and it calls for maturity, a change in attitude and for all to work together.

Labour Minister, Nanda Gopaul, GAWU President Komal Chand, President Donald Ramotar, FITUG President Carvil Duncan and FITUG General Secretary Kenneth Joseph join hands as they sing the “Internationale” (Adrian Narine photo)

“What has brought us to this stage? It’s not one reason that brought us where we are in the industry and the difficulties that exist in the industry, but there are many. Some of them have been outside our control,” he asserted.

He further cited the change in pricing of sugar on the global market as one of the many challenges and noted that while he is confident that the Skeldon Sugar Factory will prove to be a wise and good  investment, it has still not lived up to its expectations to date.

Ramotar also stressed that it is also a challenge to deal with current attitudes. He said that while the industry is now in the hands of the people and the state, the attitude in the industry has not changed from the colonial time and the time of the Enmore Martyrs.

PPP Members, Navin and Indra Chandarpal join in the singing of the “Internationale”

“Workers still do not see themselves as being the owners of this industry and management still operates in a very high handed way. And these are the attitudes that we have to change,” he lamented.

The Head of State further stressed that he is ready and willing to accept all workable ideas that can turn the industry around.

“If the workers and the unions feel that they know and they understand the industry very, very good and they can produce better than the management, I am ready to even consider giving them the land in co-ops and let them produce,” he said.

Members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) presented a gift to President Ramotar on the occasion of Fathers’ Day

He added that it is difficult times like these that bring out the best in people and said that he is looking forward that everyone will put their best foot forward to rescue the industry.

“Stop making excuses; stop complaining; stop the blame game and let us together try to turn this industry around and allow it to continue the role that it has played as a major factor for development in our country,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the President highlighted that while much has changed since 1948, and Guyana has achieved significantly, there are still challenges and struggles being faced, alluding to some of the challenges being faced presently in the National Assembly.

The tombs of the five Enmore Martyrs, Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookhie and Harry, beautifully decorated with wreaths which were laid during a ceremony yesterday at the Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown in observance of their 65th death anniversaries (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

He pointed to the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which was recently taken to Parliament, and noted that the government has not yet been able to pass it because it does not have the control in the National Assembly.

Ramotar further related that legislation to take illegal weapons off the road that were recently brought to the Parliament, have all been thrown out on the excuse that the combined parliamentary opposition does not like the bearer of the bills.

“How much more petty can we get? How much more childish can we become? Are we not seeing the harm that we are doing to all our communities?” he questioned.

He asserted that a change in direction and a change in attitude are needed, where the only criterion for evaluating such situations will be the welfare and interest of the country and its people.

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 June 2013 22:43

 

 

President Donald Ramotar, Minister of Labour Dr. Nanda Gopaul,

President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Carvil Duncan and FITUG’s General Secretary Kenneth

Joseph and President of the Guyana Agricultural and General

Workers’ Union (GAWU) Komal Chand hold hands during the

singing of ‘The Internationale’ at the the 65th death anniversary

service for the Enmore Martyrs

Look at these clowns in their red shirts and singing Commie songs.

Under paid and under employed sugar workers had nothing to do with the policies that ruined their industry. That is all the PPP's doing and specifically Romatar who squatted on the GUYSUCO's board and over saw the industry's decline. He warmed the benches when the white elephant that sucked almost a third of a billion dollars was delivered still born. This solidarity thing is just code for "****** people better stick with your own" else them black folks will do worse. Better your mangy dog than others

In 1948, the Enmore Martyrs fought for favourable conditions of work and for union recognition. Their sacrifice eventually won the latter, which ironically came under threat in 2010 when, under the Jagdeo-PPP regime, the sugar union GAWU was threatened with de-recognition. At that time Nanda Gopaul, now Minister of Labour, and Donald Ramotar, now President, were directors of the sugar corporation.