Today, May 3rd, 2021, Anguilla joins the international celebration of workers everywhere on another Labour Day. Traditionally, on this day, we pay tribute to all those who work tirelessly to provide a decent living for themselves and their families. We recognise your worth and the enormity of your contribution to the development of a resilient and sustainable economy, whether you work in an office, at a construction site, at a hotel or restaurant, on the sea, or wherever work is to be found.
However, this Labour Day has come at a most critical time, as Anguilla is in the middle of a lockdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic which has and continues to negatively impact our island. Last year when the pandemic was in its infancy stages, no one envisaged that in 2021 Anguilla would still be facing one of its greatest employment challenges ever.
In that initial phase, when the country first went on lockdown, approximately 2500 persons became unemployed or underemployed. This represents roughly 37% of the Labour Force.
Since that time the Department of Labour has been addressing issues surrounding a rapidly worsening employment situation triggered by a dramatic decline in tourism, the main pillar supporting Anguilla’s economy.
Businesses were encouraged to retain workers, but many acknowledged that with the decline in clientele they were operating at a loss and could not afford wages expense. Those employers with the financial capability to do so, opened at reduced capacity, just to ensure that their staff would receive a paycheck. Yet many others were forced to reduce operations, curtail work hours, or simply close their doors for business. This ultimately resulted in temporary lay-offs and redundancies, and lead to a severe contraction in the economy.
With unemployment numbers rising, the Labour Department advised the Ministry that measures had to be put in place to ensure that every worker be able to survive. The Department collaborated with the Ministry and Social Security to reintroduce the Unemployment Benefit Scheme on a temporary basis, to see what measure of relief could be provided. The Government’s supplementary benefit programme was established shortly thereafter.
The introduction of the Government’s phased re-opening approach for the country saw persons slowly start to return to work, especially in the hospitality industry. However low occupancy rates caused some hotels to reduce or cease operations, which ultimately impacted employment figures. Yet within the last few months, levels of optimism rose as the Hospitality Sector observed signs of slow recovery after the Government announced plans to fully reopen the country.
Now we come to today, Labour Day, and Anguilla is at a crossroads. The emergence of COVID-19 in the country and the current lockdown has made the situation extremely precarious. Certainly, we anticipate another decline in employment numbers. And while as a Department we can do nothing to alleviate the uncertainty, we can learn from this unprecedented situation and determine what measures should be implemented to ensure that Anguilla’s labour market is in a stronger position in the event of another national or global disaster.
When disaster strikes, historically the country looks to the Government for initial assistance from contingency funds. However the temporary unemployment benefit programs instituted a year ago cannot be sustainable long-term. Plans must start from now to develop a more permanent contributory structure, and to determine how this will be administered. This pandemic, so close on the heels of Hurricane Irma, has demonstrated how urgently this is needed, as one never knows when or how adversity will strike.
While Government assistance such as food vouchers, monetary payouts and other welfare programs is welcome, these initiatives target specific segments of the population. Other options can always be explored that cater to a wider range of persons.
Yet responsibility does not rest on the Government’s shoulders’ alone. Private Sector employers should recognize the value that dedicated employees bring to a business. In this small society job retention and job security are key performance motivators as job losses can lead to hopelessness, despair, desperation, and negative social consequences. Redundancy should therefore be the last option pursued. Employers are encouraged to have honest and open discussions with staff, and together propose creative measures that may be taken to protect jobs and ensure ongoing productivity.
Options that may be considered include working from home, contracted hours, contracted workdays, being on call, transfers to other areas, and as a last resort, temporary lay-offs. Now should be the time to implement decent work measures. Update strategic plans, policies and procedures. Create or revise employee handbooks with legal basis. Review, revive or renew current systems. Ensure that performance appraisals and disciplinary programmes are fairly orchestrated and in keeping with legal requirements. Organise staff training online. Use this time constructively.
Employees likewise have to appreciate the uniqueness of the present status quo and seek ways in which to adapt. Do not place sole reliance on external assistance, whether monetary or in kind. Be proactive in saving for a rainy day. What hidden talents do you have? What can you do to supplement your reduced income? There is a popular saying that necessity is the mother of invention. Many innovative ideas are born of hardship and inspire the growth of entrepreneurship. Therefore if you’re unemployed or underemployed do not lose hope. You might find that as one door closes new and more lucrative ones are opened.
At the Department, although constrained by human and time factors, we too have been proactive in reviewing our policies and procedures, and the revision is ongoing. We are also pressing for the continued modernisation of our laws, especially in the areas of Occupational Health and Safety, and Collective Bargaining, as well as key revisions to our Labour (Relations) Act. We understand the challenge of accomplishing this in a limited time frame, but this remains a top priority. Finally, we urge persons to take advantage of our Job Registry, which has already successfully paired job seekers with employers. Currently, however, this is very much underutilized by both parties.
On this Labour Day, many are hoping for a quick solution to the labour upheaval on Anguilla. The road isn’t easy, but we are confident that residents will persevere, leading to a more robust and resilient workforce. I encourage employers and employees working as a team to strategize and put measures in place so that when Anguilla reopens, those in the labour market will be prepared to seize the opportunities that arise.
May we be inspired by the words of the late Grammy Artist Jimmy Dean “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” As we anxiously wait for the pandemic to subside, let those of us who labour on remain steadfast, stay engaged, stay positive, stay focused. Better times are ahead.
