Komal made a significant contribution to the political, industrial and legal struggles

Dear Editor,

It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing of Komal Chand CCH. Komal was an extremely humble and soft-spoken individual which often-times belied  the tenacity and aggression which permeated the various struggles in which he was engaged throughout his illustrious life.

Komal Chand spent most of his public life in the Trade Union Movement, more specifically, GAWU, FITUG and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), where he championed the cause of working people everywhere, but more particularly, the sugar workers of Guyana.

He was a longstanding leader of the People’s Progressive Party, being both a Central Committee Member and an Executive Member for several decades. He served as a Mem-ber of the Guyana Parliament, for the PPP, from 1992, uninterruptedly, until the Parliament was last dissolved in December 2019.

It is these public offices which Komal used as his platform to launch an unwavering battle for a better life and working conditions for workers not only in Guyana but across the world. Like every other labour leader of his calibre, he wisely used strikes and protest demonstrations as a telling weapon to bring employers to the negotiating table for the benefit of the workers whose interests he canvassed.

I had the privilege of speaking alongside him in the National Assembly, on the political platform and at GAWU-organized events. I also shared the honour of representing the cause of workers on GAWU’s and NAACIE’s behalf, upon his instructions, in many legal cases, including, several cases filed for sugar workers’ severance packages after they were deemed redundant upon the closure of several estates during the tenure of the APNU+AFC Government.

Komal has certainly made a significant contribution to the political, industrial and legal struggles of the working people of Guyana for which he will be long remembered.

To his wife, children and other relatives, I extend my deepest condolences.

Rest In Peace my Comrade.

Yours faithfully,

Anil Nandlall