Labour Day, also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day, is a day when we pay tribute to the contribution made by workers to society’s overall prosperity and well-being. It is also a day when workers in various countries around the globe celebrate the strides that have been made towards greater equality in the workplace and fair employment practices.
We have come a long way since that first Labour Day celebrated in the late 19th century. Back then persons worked in excess of 16 hour days, and there was no overtime. Child labour was rampant. Working conditions were many times hazardous and unhealthy. Wages were barely enough to survive and there were no extra benefits. There were no entitlements like sick leave, paid vacation or maternity leave. Complainers were fired immediately and there was no recourse if staff was dismissed unfairly. In fact there were no persons or organisations looking out for the rights of workers.
There are still countries today where business establishments fail to recognize and implement the basic human rights of their employees. Such persons are oppressed and exploited for financial gain. They have no voice and there is stiff retribution for those who choose to speak out. Here in Anguilla we stand in solidarity with those persons who suffer subjugation as a working class.
It is therefore important to realise and appreciate how very fortunate we are to be far removed from that harsh reality. We have laws that govern our labour force. Employees have rights that are enforceable and processes for pursuing those rights.
This however, does not mean that everything is perfect. We too have our challenges. With the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, many persons have become unemployed, with little or no means of support in a restricted labour market.
The Ministry of Labour through the auspices of Social Security, introduced a temporary Unemployment Benefit Scheme in order to assist those whose employment was affected by the hurricane. While persons have benefitted from the programme, it is recognised that the actual benefit is minimal and only covers a few payouts. In addition, the Government has been doing its best to secure employment for a displaced labour force by, among other things, encouraging businesses, especially major employers, to maintain staffing levels where possible both during and after restoration projects.
I must also acknowledge the efforts of the Anguilla Strong movement and other entities, aiding in our survival by bringing a measure of relief to embattled persons.
Despite constraints caused by Hurricane Irma, we continue to push towards an updated Labour Code, as this addresses several areas where employer/employee relationships can be improved.
Clear disciplinary procedures, the establishment of a minimum wage, added focus on occupational health and safety, the introduction of severance pay and retirement benefits, and formalisation procedures for trade unions, are just some of the areas slated for improvement via the new Labour Code.
At the Labour Department, we do our best to address any challenges and to realise our main goal, which is for a strong and dynamic labour market where all persons of employable age are engaged in occupations that they enjoy. We push for a qualified work force and an environment where there is a level playing field, equality of treatment and opportunity for all. Our job registry is available for those who wish to provide themselves with the prospect of greater visibility to employers.
We appreciate those businesses that encourage a safe and healthy work environment where it is a pleasure to work, who are willing to train and invest in their personnel, who understand that their employees are assets to the establishment, who treat their staff members fairly and see them as individuals with differing abilities.
We also believe that as workers we need to have ethics, integrity, competence, and efficiency. We must provide a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. And we should always be willing to improve our skills as we live in a world that is constantly evolving.
So for Labour Day 2018, let us acknowledge and commemorate the resilience and fighting spirit of the Anguillian worker. Lost jobs, dwindling incomes, tough economic times, and still we remain Anguilla Strong. We are
Anguilla strong, because we are all survivors, blindsided by disaster – yet still willing to uplift and support each other. We are Anguilla strong, because we continue to maintain hope that the economy will rebound and jobs will be restored. We are Anguilla strong, because we’re willing to work doing whatever we can to provide the bare necessities, believing that we can conquer any obstacle and emerge a stable force.
Therefore in honour of those workers gone before, and inspiring those yet to come, let us continue to elevate Anguilla, by embracing with pride those rewards achieved via the fruits of our hard labour.
I bid you a Happy Labour Day 2018!
