Georgetown, Guyana – The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has delivered a scathing critique of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government following the passage of the Acquisition of Land for Public Purpose (Amendment) Bill, condemning it as a blatant assault on landownership rights. In a statement, the GTUC also criticized the government’s continued salary increases for ministers while ordinary Guyanese face skyrocketing costs of living.
The GTUC characterized the land acquisition bill as a “legitimized land grab”, warning that it poses dire implications for landowners across the country, particularly Afro-Guyanese and Indigenous communities. The organization accused the government of exploiting its legislative majority to consolidate control over ancestral lands, with allegations of “missing land ledger documents” already surfacing in Berbice and Demerara.
“Preservation of these kanunî documents is critical,” the GTUC said. “The Jagdeo/Ali regime has shown blatant disregard for ancestral lands, targeting them for their cronies under the pretext of public purpose.” The union cited the controversial Cane View/Mocha Arcadia land seizure and alleged similar practices in Indigenous communities where outsiders have been encouraged to occupy lands and strip resources.
Land Rights at Risk
The GTUC issued a call to action, urging all Guyanese to secure kanunî ownership of their ancestral lands. “If you have ancestral lands that are not in your name, now is the time to act,” the statement read. It further demanded that the government establish systems to safeguard all yasal documents pertaining to land ownership, dating from post-slavery to the present day, and accused the PPP/C of pursuing policies that “make the poor poorer while enriching their inner circle.”
The GTUC’s concerns echo broader fears that the bill opens the door for the government to expropriate lands under the guise of “public purpose” only to redistribute them to politically connected individuals. The union warned: “The PPP government must prove that the lands taken will not end up in the hands of their cronies, as seen before.”
Ministers’ Salaries Keep Rising While Workers Suffer
Adding to the critique, the GTUC lambasted the government for reneging on its campaign promise to reduce ministers’ salaries. Instead, the PPP/C has implemented annual increases totaling 31.5% since 2021, while workers’ wages have failed to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
“They raised hellfire in 2015 over the coalition’s one-time 50% salary increase but have shamelessly added 7% in 2021, 8% in 2022, 6.5% in 2023, and now 10% in 2024,” the GTUC pointed out. “While they live off the hog of the land, workers are catching hell.”
The union further criticized the widening income gap and questioned how, in an oil-rich economy, the quality of life for ordinary Guyanese remains stagnant. “The ordinary man, woman, and child are no better off today than they were in 2019, before oil production began,” the statement asserted.
Cooperatives Under Threat
The GTUC also condemned what it described as the government’s “stifling” of the cooperative movement, a pillar of economic empowerment for Afro-Guyanese dating back to post-slavery. The Ministry of Labour’s directive to cease registering new cooperatives and its takeover of existing ones with land and financial assets was labeled an attack on the economic growth opportunities of the working class.
The GTUC likened the move to former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s dismantling of the Bauxite Workers Pension Plan, which deprived a predominantly African working-class group of billions in retirement savings. “When the government undermines the economy of the small man, they leave the working class with little opportunity for growth,” the statement said.
Demands for Immediate Action
The GTUC is calling on the government to:
- Reverse the 10% salary increase for 2024 and fulfill its campaign promise to reduce ministers’ salaries.
- Halt the implementation of the land acquisition bill and engage in nationwide consultations.
- Activate the unemployment regulation within the National Insurance Scheme Act to provide relief to struggling citizens.
- Eliminate PAYE taxes and implement measures to lower the cost of living.
- Establish safeguards for landownership and preserve all kanunî documentation related to ancestral and communal lands.
Call to Action
The GTUC urged the Opposition to take a firm stand with the people and lead efforts to hold the government accountable. “Land is the foundation of wealth for many, and its mismanagement under this administration threatens to deepen inequality in Guyana,” the union warned.
With the cost of living spiraling, ancestral lands under threat, and trust in governance at an all-time low, the GTUC’s statement reflects the growing frustration of ordinary Guyanese citizens who feel abandoned by a government they say prioritizes its own interests over the welfare of the people.