Friday, June 5, 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026
Union leader urges expanded anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation, gender identity
General Secretary of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), Sherwood Clarke, used the Labour Day platform on May 1st, 2026 at the National Park in Georgetown to call for stronger legal protections against workplace discrimination, urging reforms to Guyana’s Prevention of Discrimination Act.
Speaking to workers, union members and stakeholders, Clarke framed the issue as part of the labour movement’s long-standing mission to uphold dignity, fairness and respect for all workers.
The CCWU, established in 1948, has historically advocated for improved working conditions across multiple sectors, including aviation, insurance, retail and services. Clarke said that legacy must now extend to ensuring equal protection for all workers, regardless of identity.
Central to his address was a call to expand existing legislation to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Clarke noted that while Guyana’s Prevention of Discrimination Act of 1997 marked a significant step forward, outlawing bias across 15 protected categories, it does not currently include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
As a result, he said, many workers continue to face risks in the workplace, including denial of employment, unequal pay, limited advancement opportunities and dismissal.
He argued that such gaps in the legal framework not only affect individuals but also have wider implications for the labour force and national development, including contributing to workforce instability and the migration of skilled workers.
The union leader emphasised that inclusive workplaces are essential to economic growth, noting that all workers, regardless of background, contribute to productivity and national progress.
Clarke also highlighted the CCWU’s support for broader advocacy efforts, including calls to repeal laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy, describing them as outdated and inconsistent with modern labour and human rights standards.
He maintained that strengthening non-discrimination protections would align Guyana’s legal framework with its development goals and international commitments.
