Georgetown: The body of late trade unionist Komal Chand arrived in Guyana Friday evening at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Cuba.
Mr. Chand died in April while receiving treatment for pneumonia in Havana, Cuba. He was accompanied by his wife.
In May, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) had denied approval for the body of the late trade unionist to return to Guyana from Cuba. However, consideration was later granted.
Chand joined the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) in 1975 as the union’s organising secretary and later served as the organisation’s President up to the time of his passing.
Described as an individual who was committed to his work, Chand dedicated his career to fighting for the protection and rights of workers in the sugar, rice and numerous other industries in Guyana.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in mourning the passing of its stalwart and one of the nation’s truest champions of workers, said “Chand served our party in various capacities, inclusive of being a long-standing member of the Central and Executive Committees.
He also represented the PPP and the PPP/C in Parliament for over 20 years. But his most notable contribution was as the head of GAWU, the country’s largest trade union”.
The PPP said Chand’s contributions to protecting the rights of sugar workers, fisherfolk, and forestry sectors employees, among others are well recognised across the country and will be remembered by generations to come. “Also, his efforts to unify the Labour movement are unparalleled and this led to the formation of FITUG,” the PPP said.
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