By President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Cde. Sydney Bridgewater
In the context of the 2020 International Labour Day, it goes without saying that I am addressing you during a very challenging period amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has identified four areas of impact on the world of work concerning COVID-19: increased unemployment and underemployment; reduced access to social protection; particularly negative effects on specific groups more vulnerable to adverse labour market outcomes; and worsened working conditions and Occupational Safety and Health.
It is important to note that workers are being asked to use their annual paid holidays on days of total lockdown, which goes against the Holidays With Pay Act. To this matter we say: employees must not be disadvantaged at any time. We ask all workplaces guilty of such to desist while we call on the Labour Department to be ready to handle such grievances.
To our healthcare workers — including nurses, doctors, emergency technicians — we salute you. Indeed, you are amazing and we owe you a debt of gratitude. A special note of praise is also extended to other essential workers such as security officers, cleaners, grocery store employees, delivery men and women, and utility maintenance crews who help to keep us going.
As we gradually transition in the atmosphere of the new normal, let us focus on how resilient a people we are. The world has slowed down but our spirit of hope and optimism must keep going. Being resilient requires us to spring back after a period of difficulty and, with God in our vessel, we shall smile at the storm.