In a stirring Labour Day address on May 1, President Dr. Irfaan Ali reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and advancement of workers across Guyana, pledging that the nation’s development will continue to center on the dignity and prosperity of its workforce.
“Workers have a friend, not a foe, in my government,” President Ali stated in his May Day message, as thousands in Guyana joined millions around the world in observing International Workers’ Day with marches, rallies, and moments of reflection.
Emphasizing the day’s roots in labour rights movements, the president described May Day as “a time to honour the historic sacrifices of the working class and to recommit to the principles of justice, equity, and solidarity.”
President Ali paid tribute to generations of Guyanese workers whose struggles secured critical labour victories. “These victories were not handed down,” he said. “They were earned through decades of struggle, courage, and unbreakable unity.”
Looking to the future, President Ali highlighted his administration’s focus on creating an inclusive and prosperous society, where economic growth translates to real, tangible benefits for workers. “Our workers can now look forward to rising real incomes, new opportunities for wealth generation, and access to world-class healthcare and education,” he said. “We are not just building infrastructure—we are building futures.”
Among the key initiatives he pointed to were efforts to reduce energy costs, expand housing, and improve water and sanitation infrastructure, all aimed at raising living standards nationwide. “Our mission is to ensure that no worker is left behind in the march toward national prosperity,” the president added.
He also called for greater unity within the labour movement, warning against internal divisions. “The strength of workers has always been their solidarity,” he noted. “Now more than ever, we must build bridges across industries, regions, and generations.”
During a recent outreach to West Coast Berbice, President Ali met with fisherfolk from Rosignol and Blairmont and engaged with field and factory workers at the Blairmont Estate, underscoring his administration’s direct connection with working communities.
He also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the government, trade unions, and workers’ associations to safeguard labour rights and expand opportunities. “On this May Day, let us not only celebrate what we have achieved but also commit ourselves to building a future where the dignity of every worker is upheld,” he concluded. “Long live the working class of Guyana. Long live workers’ solidarity!”
