The PPP in its May Day message said it is important to recall that the Guyanese working people played a leading role in the fight for Independence, and in the post-Independence period led the struggle for the return of democracy in Guyana.

“Since October 1992, the working people of Guyana have had signal achievements materially and also legally and constitutionally,” the PPP said.

The struggle that workers waged to have a union of their choice has now been enshrined in law with the passing of the Trades Union Recognition Bill, the Party said.

It added that the hated Means Test, which denied thousands of senior citizens a pension, has been removed and that pension is now a right and not a privilege.

The Termination of Employment and Severance pay Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which have been expanded to include all workers, among others, testify to the benefits that were achieved as a result of “the winning of democracy on our country,” the PPP said.

“Today we see that the forces which were responsible for the almost three decades of dictatorship and the bankruptcy of Guyana, working strenuously to return to those days. To do so they are attempting to divide the working people. Racism is a tool they are using to weaken the forces of democracy of which the working class is the main bastion,” the Party said.

“The PPP calls on the working people to defend democracy. Life has taught us that we would not be able to solve our problems and achieve sustainable development without consolidating, defending and strengthening our democratic gains,” the message continued.

According to the PPP, “in the struggle to achieve greater success in economic and social spheres, democracy is an indispensable pre-requisite”.

“We must therefore stand firm and rebuff the attacks and abuse by those whose interests are better served by dictatorial and other undemocratic means,” the PPP said.