59th Independence Anniversary Message
May 26, 2025
Theme: “Guyana: A Future of Unity and Progress”
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) extends warm greetings to all Guyanese, at home and abroad, as we commemorate 59 years as an Independent Nation, a journey defined by the unrelenting will of a people determined to govern themselves with dignity, justice, and self-determination.
The GPSU embraces the National Theme, “Guyana: A Future of Unity and Progress,” as both an aspiration and a responsibility. We must recognize that without genuine national unity, grounded in respect, justice, and inclusion, all that we have achieved, positively since Independence in 1966 can be undermined. Our internal division weakens collective resolve at a time when Guyana’s sovereignty is threatened. Guyana's firm stance against Venezuela’s unfounded claim to a large portion of our country’s resources and, by extension, its people demands that we stand together. Unity is not optional, it is essential to defending our borders, our dignity, and our future.
On May 26, 1966, Guyana proudly raised its Golden Arrowhead and stepped onto the world stage as an independent nation. More than a flag, the Golden Arrowhead embodies the essence of who we are. Its bold colors represent our vast forests, mineral wealth, mighty rivers, and the courage, endurance, and perseverance of our people. It is not merely a national emblem; it is a promise to future generations and a pledge to protect the values for which our fore-parents fought.
The road to Independence was neither short nor easy. It was paved by the unwavering leadership of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Cheddi Berret Jagan, along with the invaluable contributions of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana, and many other Trade Unionists. Though they came from different racial and ideological backgrounds, they shared a common vision for a free, just, and united Guyana.
Supporting that vision were thousands of Public Servants, nurses, doctors, engineers, surveyors, teachers, clerks, technicians, law enforcement officers, and revenue workers, who kept the machinery of the colonial state functioning, even as they were denied justice. In the shadow of the empire, they laid the groundwork for nationhood.
Founded on June 8, 1923, the Guyana Public Service Union preceded the birth of our independent nation by 43 years. Born out of necessity, it became the voice of the voiceless, advocating for fair and equal treatment of Guyanese workers, in stark contrast to the privileges afforded to expatriates.
The GPSU evolved not merely as a labor organization, but as a pillar of resistance, a platform for advocacy, and a partner in governance. It helped shape a professional, modern public service and continues to fight for the dignity and rights of workers throughout Guyana. Notably, the public service must be permitted to discharge its functions consistent with constitutional requirements.
Through decades of representation and negotiation, the Union has:
· Fought for fair wages, improved working conditions, regulated working hours, and allowances
· Challenged discriminatory labor practices
· Advanced the professionalization of the public service
· Participated in national development as a strategic partner, not a bystander
Today, the GPSU represents a broad cross-section of Guyana’s public sector, including:
· Doctors, nurses, and caregivers safeguarding public health
· State lawyers and legal officers upholding justice
· Revenue officers, auditors, and customs staff ensuring fiscal integrity
· Air traffic controllers and immigration officers protecting our borders
· Geology and Mines workers advancing sustainable resource development
· Alongside educators, administrators, technical personnel, and countless others
These workers are not merely employees of the State, they are the lifeblood of national development, the guardians of our democracy, and the silent architects of progress.
As one of the oldest and most resilient institutions in Guyana, the GPSU reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that progress is people-centered, that workers’ rights are protected, and that public service remains a cornerstone of democracy and national development. We believe that true progress must be anchored in justice, equity, strong institutions, and unwavering respect for the contributions of public servants and workers across this nation.
However, the Judiciary must be independent and free from political influence. It must be adequately resourced and sufficiently funded to execute its duties in a professional and impartial manner.
As Guyana enters a new chapter, fueled by a growing oil and gas economy—serious challenges emerge. The very vision that united us at Independence is now tested by:
· The rise of contract labor, threatening job security and representation
· The erosion of collective bargaining rights
· Stalled negotiations and disregard for legally binding agreements
· Policies that marginalize, rather than empower, the public service
These are not simply administrative matters, they are fundamental threats to good governance, social justice, and sustainable development.
To truly honor our Independence, we must rekindle the spirit of purpose and solidarity that brought us this far. The GPSU calls on:
· The Government of Guyana to recommit to good-faith engagement with the Union
· All institutions to uphold fairness, justice, and equity
· Citizens and civil society to promote accountability and inclusion
· Public Servants to remain organized, informed, and committed to excellence
There is a significant lack of trust and confidence in our governing bodies that prevails nationally, and rebuilding the nation’s trust must be a top priority. Let us restore trust and confidence, rebuild unity, and shape a national identity rooted in equal opportunity and shared prosperity for every citizen, regardless of background or ethnicity.
As we continue to modernize and develop our beloved country, let us honor and safeguard the gains of our Independence by promoting quality public service, justice, and the dignity for all workers. We must remain resolute in our pursuit of national unity and steadfast in our demand for full adherence to our Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the International Conventions of the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) ratified by the Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
To every Public Servant and Worker, from hospitals to schools, courtrooms to borders, mining fields to administrative offices, factories, farms, and urban or rural centers, we recognize your hard work and contributions, and we salute you. Your labor is the light that never went out, not during colonialism, not during crisis, and not during division. You are the enduring stewards of Guyana’s democracy.
Let this 59th Independence Anniversary inspire us to reflect deeply, act boldly, and live with integrity, in full alignment with this year’s theme: “Guyana: A Future of Unity and Progress” and our national motto: “One People. One Nation. One Destiny.”
Happy 59th Independence Anniversary, Guyana.
God bless the Guyana Public Service Union.
God bless the Trade Unions of Guyana.
God bless the People of Independent Guyana.
God bless Guyana.