Labour Day, also known as May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is a day when Anguilla joins many countries around the world to celebrate the rights and contributions of its workers.
The symbolism of Labour Day must never be forgotten. Labour Day is rooted in the global struggle for better working conditions and worker equality that dates as far back as the late 19th century. How ironic that the ideals that motivated workers to fight for improved working conditions all those generations ago, are still very prevalent today.
So on this Labour Day, workers in Anguilla stand in solidarity with their counterparts around the world, recognising their influence on the global economy as well as appreciating the challenges that many continually face.
The United Nations has promulgated Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All as a part of its 8th goal for sustainable development, to be achieved by the year 2030.
In concurrence, the ILO has determined several key elements of its own engagement to be aligned with the Decent Work goal. These include job creation, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue with gender equality as a cross-cutting objective.
The Labour Department realises that if human society is to be sustainable in Anguilla, focus must be placed on those mechanisms that will realise the UN’s and ILO’s Decent Work and Full Productive Employment initiative.
The Department sees Decent Work for All as an ideal that every employment sector on Anguilla should be aiming to achieve. We continue to advise on the importance of forming collaborative partnerships between the Government, Employers and Employees, NGO’s, and the wider community.
It is only through such alliances that methodologies can be derived that will ensure consistent improvement to working conditions and thus, by association, to the standard of living and the economic growth and stability of the island.
If everything related to Decent Work could be summed up in one word, that word should be fairness. On a daily basis, the Labour Department handles matters of conciliation and mediation that centre around what we call the fairness principle. The lack of fairness and impartiality in application to policies and processes is one of the main causes of conflict and disharmony in the workplace. Until we conquer this shortcoming, Decent Work for All will remain an illusion.
Fairness in employment situations supports flexibility, innovation, investment and compensation as part of an ongoing narrative.
One of the main themes coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic is that work can be flexible and such flexibility can lead to increased work opportunities, improved work-life balance, and greater productivity.
The pandemic has also created a wave of increased technological innovation and job creation that must be continuously encouraged for its contribution to economic sustainability.
Employer sponsorship of education and training is another key driver of Decent Work and productivity. The Department applauds those who have made that investment.
We also extol the benefits of succession planning, work promotions, and the empowerment of workers on the job.
Experience has shown that workers must be fortified with the skills that correspond to demands in the local labour market. This improves their prospects for personal development and social integration and stimulates economic growth. We therefore continue to invite employees to take advantage of every training opportunity that presents itself.
Employers are reminded that for Decent Work to prosper and full productivity to be maintained, compensation must be fair and there must be equality of treatment and remuneration across race and gender lines.
Fair treatment of workers also requires that labour rights are protected, discrimination and exploitation avoided, disciplinary measures applied consistently, and work environments always kept safe and secure.
Employees should be free to express their concerns without fear of retaliation and should be able to participate in the decision making process. In doing so, they must be respectful and observe the rules and policies of the workplace.
The Labour Department has observed two negative features coming out of the pandemic. There has been a general decline in compliance to labour laws, and in some instances, a breakdown in proper working conditions. This has created a sharp increase in the number of conflict resolution issues being handled by the Department.
That is why the Department continues to strongly advocate the extreme importance of ensuring that current labour laws and policies are respected and adhered to by Anguilla’s labour force.
Through data review, labour inspections, ongoing follow-up, and provision of advice, the Labour Department encourages and assists employers in maintaining compliance with legislation and policy. Where this is not effective, the Department will apply stronger measures to achieve compliance.
Anguilla’s economy can only be assured of ongoing sustainable development, if its regulatory environment and policy framework have been structured to adapt to transformative change in the world of work. The Government therefore has an increasingly critical role in the provision of a stable and productive workforce.
The Department always alerts the Government when it is aware of issues that pose a potential threat to workforce stability. These may surround matters related to social inclusion, social justice, youth employment, and social protection, inter alia. We also indicate where changes may be required to labour policy to address potential pitfalls.
As we start to emerge from the constrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anguilla’s focus must shift from survival mode to setting strategic goals and creating opportunities for Anguilla’s workforce that will facilitate future growth and development.
So on this Labour Day, let us each commit to doing our part to support a positive and progressive work culture, on which Anguilla can build its economy for long term sustainability.
I bid you all a Most Happy and Enjoyable Labour Day.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
