Teachers strike has stripped the ruling PPP of its pretence of being a caring regime
The teachers’ strike has entered the third week. It has exposed and isolated the government and stripped the ruling PPP naked of its pretence of being a caring regime. I have deliberately omitted to say a caring working-class government since that died with the demise of the Jagans.
The Jagdeo regime has been a “beast” of a different colour, heartless and ruthless in its hostility to the working people, the poor, and the powerless. All progressive Guyanese must stand in solidarity with the striking teachers and their union leadership in this just and necessary struggle for these basic principles which labour has shed much blood for - the right to collective bargaining and a living wage.
The contempt by the regime for teachers and the national workers is demonstrated in the context of the historic budget of 1.146 trillion G$. These monies will be spent on infrastructural works and areas of the economy that put money in the pockets of PPP’s leadership families, friends, and cronies. Yet the rulers say they have no money to pay the nation’s teachers living wages. Teachers were told that deliverance would come in 2027 by no less a person than President Ali. This is reckless political behaviour. The President made the statement after his government invoked the long-discredited tactics of deeming workers’ strikes political and illegal, thus characterizing the true nature of the regime with its bullyism and domination. This has led to widespread resistance and defiance among teachers nationwide, who have taken to the streets in protest, backed by citizens through physical presence, as well as through material and financial support. Each day, confrontations escalate between those wielding power and those who are marginalized.
If the PPP’s leadership requires a reminder, it should consider its role as a political entity with a complex history, shaped and carried forward by its current leaders, a legacy highlighted by WPA Elder Eusi Kwayana.
In his letter published in the Stabroek News edition on February 17, 2024, he cautioned, “I know the PPP better than anyone else, including members of the PPP and the president himself.” Will the PPP leadership do an introspection of its governance? I doubt they will.
By making the following point, I acknowledge the risk of being accused of politicizing the teachers’ strike: it would be a considerable betrayal at a national level for the opposition and key national stakeholders to proceed with constitutional reform discussions before the conclusion of the teachers’ strike.
I conclude by saluting the nation’s teachers for their self-defence action, striking and taking to the streets for living wages, and the right to collective bargaining - a right won with the blood and sweat of workers throughout our history.