Two hours later, they and took up positions in the factory compound which was protected by a fence 15 feet high with rows of barbed wire running along the outward struts at the top. By They attempted to enter the factory compound through the gates and through two trench gaps at the rear by which punts entered the factory.
But they were prevented from doing so because the locked gates and the punt gaps were protected by policemen. A section of the crowd then hurled bricks and sticks at the policemen, and several persons managed to enter the compound on the rear of the factory.
The policemen tried to push back the crowd, but after this effort failed, they opened fire and five workers were killed and fourteen others were injured. Lallabagee Kissoon, 30 years old, was shot in the back; year-old Pooran was shot in the leg and pelvis; Rambarran died from bullet wounds in his leg; Dookhie died in hospital later that day; and Harry died the following day from severe spinal injuries.
These men, through the years, became known as the Enmore Martyrs. On June 17, the funeral of the slain men saw a massive crowd of people marching behind their coffins from Enmore to La Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown, a distance of more than 16 miles. This procession of thousands was led by Dr. This new Union, the Guyana Industrial Workers Union, GIWU was more vigorous and militant in representing the workers' wishes and campaigned to win the support of the workers as their union representative.
In the SPA introduced a system of "cut and load" as opposed to the original system of "cut and drop". In the "cut and drop" system one gang of workers cut the cane whilst another gang loaded the cane into the punts for the factories. In the "cut and load" system the same gang that cut the cane had to also load the cane into punts for the factories.
This new system which was introduced without consultation with the workers involved greater physical effort and was very strenuous, especially for older workers. This system would also facilitate a significant decrease of the work force needed for harvesting. The sugar workers represented by the MPCA agreed to try the new system if wages were fairly increased; however, the SPA would not agree to a fair rate of pay to compensate for the additional work; so the workers had no alternative but to go on strike.
At this critical time the workers intensified their efforts to secure the recognition of the GIWU as their representative union. The strike spread to most of the estates and climaxed at a huge demonstration at Enmore on the morning of June 16, , where colonial police opened fire, thus killing five workers and injuring fourteen others. The Enmore Martyrs became forever etched in Guyana's history. Guyana envisages an enhanced role for the OAS in advancing disaster resilience.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. The Enmore Martyrs Monument.
By Editor On Jun 16, In his hands he holds a pig and a dog, each being throttled, the pig representing ignorance, and the dog covetousness and greed. August 1, — Emancipation Day — one of the most important days in the history of Guyana is observed annually in recognition of the courageous efforts and sacrifices of men and women of African descent in the fight for their freedom and that of their descendants.
This monument represents a covenant with the workers of Guyana that never, ever again the guns of the State will be turned on them in their pursuit for self-determination. They would later come to be known as the Enmore Martyrs. Rambarran died from bullet wounds in his leg, Lallabagee Kissoon was shot in the back and Harry died a day later due to severe spinal injuries. On 2 December then premier of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, unveiled a bronze statue of Critchlow in the compound of the Parliament Building.
Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow devoted his life to changing the harsh conditions under which men were forced to work in those days. However, the real aim of the strike was to demand recognition of the GIWU as the bargaining union for the field and factory workers on all the sugar estates in the country.
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