In a pointed display of solidarity with Guyana’s labour movement, former Georgetown Mayor and Vice Chairman of the Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD), Pt. Ubraj Narine, joined the Guyana Trades Union Congress’ Wreath Laying Ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Forecourt of the Parliament Building, a site heavy with national significance.
Narine laid a wreath on behalf of IFAAD, paying tribute to the generations of Guyanese workers who have battled against injustice and exploitation in pursuit of dignity and fair treatment. His presence underscored a broader message: that the struggle for equality and the rights of workers is far from over.
The ceremony, held at the symbolic heart of Guyana’s legislative seat, served as a moment to honour not only the past but to call attention to the present-day challenges faced by working people across the country.
“IFAAD stands with every Guyanese who has fought and continues to fight for justice in the workplace,” Narine stated after the ceremony. “This wreath is more than a tribute — it’s a pledge to remain vigilant and active in the fight against all forms of discrimination.”
Narine said Sunday’s act reaffirms IFAAD’s alignment with the labour movement, signaling that the defence of workers’ rights is inseparable from the broader fight for equality and inclusion.
The Forecourt of the Parliament Building stands as a powerful symbol of Guyana’s democratic identity and national sovereignty. Constructed in the 19th century, the Parliament Building is one of the nation’s most iconic colonial-era landmarks, embodying Guyana’s transition from colonial rule to self-governance and independence. Within its compound is the statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Guyana’s second National Hero and the Father of Trade Unionism in the British Empire.
Laying a wreath at this site is not merely a ceremonial act; it is a statement made at the very heart of Guyana’s political and historical consciousness.