01/05/2026
Guyana Public Service Union
Message for International Workers’ Day 2026 from
Mr. Patrick M. Yarde, President/CEO, GPSU.
The names “International Workers' Day”, “Labour Day” or “May Day”, are preferential names given to the day allocated for the celebration and honouring of labour rights by both workers and employers. In Guyana, this day is celebrated on May 1 every year as a public holiday, mostly devoted to the celebration of the achievements of the working class and in “remembrance of the great exploits and major sacrifices made by fellow workers” in Guyana, where industrial relations history proved to be ungenerous.
The International Labour Organization’s chosen theme for Workers' Day 2026 is "Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organization," because of its suitability and relationship to World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which precedes May Day on April 28, 2026. However, the Guyana Trades Union Congress will be celebrating with its affiliates under the theme “A century honouring the struggle for one man, one vote.”
This May Day Fighting back means getting organized, this is a vivid reminder that working class politics is not spectator sport. We have never won by watching, waiting or relying on great power leaders to gift us our future.
Public Service Workers are at the heart of this struggle. They are the last defence against neoliberalism and the precarity it creates. – but we are also the first line of attack against the strongmen who exploits working class anger. And that anger in working class communities remains palpable. At the workplace and at the country level: giving in doesn’t work. Standing together does. Public Sector workers are doing their part - ILO.
The GPSU is working tirelessly to defend the rights of Public Service workers as their legally recognized representative. This includes, but is not limited to, resolving cases of harassment of workers, abuses of authority and unequal treatment, including representations for permanent pensionable appointments with superannuation benefits. Even though there is growing resistance to the Union’s operations, coupled with political interference, subtle attempts to silence the Union and its leadership and disregard for collective agreements, the GPSU has taken steps to remain at the forefront of the labour movement.
With all challenges in clear view, the GPSU would like to extend warm and respectful greetings to all Public Servants across the country and workers in every sector. As always, Labour Day is organized to enable reflection, remembrance and renewed resilience. It is also to reignite the spirit of solidarity that has carried generations of workers, who in unity through hardship and oppression, without regard for race or ethnicity, demanded fairness for our energies that contributed in harmony towards the building of our beloved Country.
160 Regent & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive
Bourda,
Georgetown.
May 1 2026.
