Sherwood Clarke, General Secretary of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and Second Vice-President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), has issued a formal call for the expansion of the Prevention of Discrimination Act to include explicit protections for LGBT Guyanese.
In his remarks at the FITUG Labour Day programme on May 1st, 2026 Clarke argued that Guyana’s current legal framework “falls short” of modern labor standards, leaving workers vulnerable to dismissal or harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The labor leader specifically targeted the Prevention of Discrimination Act of 1997, which currently protects 15 characteristics but excludes sexual orientation and gender expression. Clarke characterized the existing laws criminalizing same-sex intimacy as “a stain on our country’s global reputation” that “continues to inflict real damage on gay and trans citizens”.
“Our actions have been guided by the fundamental belief that when workers are treated fairly, our workplaces are stronger, our economy is stronger, our communities are stronger and our nation benefits,” Clarke stated. “That is why today we are calling for extending non-discrimination protections to create a stronger, more inclusive Prevention of Discrimination Act”.
Clarke highlighted the practical consequences of legal exclusion, noting that without explicit protections, Guyanese continue to face risks ranging from being denied employment to facing unequal pay. He warned that these conditions contribute to national “brain drain” and weaken the collective labor force.
“It means a worker can be denied a job..not because they lack qualifications…but because of who they are,” Clarke remarked. “It means someone can be passed over for promotion, or denied equal pay, not because of their performance…but because of who they love”.
The CCWU, founded in 1948, represents workers across the aviation, insurance, retail, and service sectors. Clarke framed the endorsement of the Guyana Together campaign as a natural extension of the union’s seven-decade mission to protect the interests of all working people.
“Every person deserves the opportunity to work, to succeed, and to be judged based on their talent, skill, and work ethic,” Clarke said. “No worker should have to carry that burden. This is not only unjust…it is inconsistent with the values we have long upheld as a nation”.
The General Secretary concluded by asserting that LGBT workers are an “integral part” of the Guyanese economy and deserve to work without the “fear of simply being themselves”.
