The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) paid tribute on Thursday to women on the occasion of International Women’s Day and lamented that women vendors at a local market are being prevented from earning a living.

A message from union president Patrick Yarde said women on all continents, though divided by cultural, ethnic, linguistic, political and economic differences, came together to celebrate a day when they can look back to a tradition which represents decades of struggle for respect, equality, justice, peace and development.

Yarde said he honours women who stay at home to “nurture the future labour force of our country;” those who work in the health and teaching services, the sugar, bauxite and timber industries; the food, beverage and hospitality industries and to those who vend in the many municipal markets countrywide. At the same time, Yarde said he is concerned about the plight of women who vend outside of the Stabroek Market, many of whom are single mothers, who are being prevented from earning a livelihood “all to give a good show for World Cup 2007. How shameful.”