Dear Editor,
I found it extremely odd that President Bharrat Jagdeo would be out of the country – one blog reported he was scheduled to appear at a social function in New York on Saturday, May 3 – at the same time when Guyanese workers publicly observed Labour Day on May 1, and at the same time when the Guyana Government sponsored a Media and Communication Conference on May 2.
Traditionally in Guyana, Labour Day observances have been used by political and labour leaders to make profound statements and stake out strategic positions on a variety of political, social and economic issues. Call it a day for political posturing and grandstanding.
Both the late Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, Sr, seemingly always made it their duty to join the longsuffering workers of Guyana at this annual event. Burnham as Prime Minister and then President and titular head of the GLU, made his usual speeches about the state-controlled economy, international issues, and their collective impact on workers.
Jagan, as PPP and Opposition Leader and titular head of the sugar workers union, GAWU, made speeches critical of the Burnham regime’s policies and their adverse impact on workers.
