In the words of Michael Hureaux-Perez, “All the mega corporations on the planet make their obscene profits off the Labour and suffering of others, with complete disregard for the effects on the workers, environment, and future generations. As with the banking sector, they play games with the lives of millions, hysterically reject any kind of government intervention when profit are rolling in, but are quick to pass the bill for the cleanup and the far-reaching consequences of these avoidable tragedies to the public when things go wrong. We (Trade Unions) have a straight forward proposal: If they want public money, we want public control. It’s that simple.”
International Workers Day (IWD), also popularly known as Labour Day is celebrated every year to mark the hardship of labourer’s and working class people.
However, Labour Day is promoted by the International Labour Movement as well as the Socialist, Communist and Anarchists.
For example, in India, the very first May Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai and on this day in India organizations and Trade Unions arrange fun activities to understand the importance of labourer’s, and sometimes political leaders give speeches at these activities as well.
However, right here in our very beautiful Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Labour Movement fully understand the importance of Labour Day and that is why every year we arrange and organize activities to help all workers understand the importance oflabourer’s.
During these activities speeches are given by the leaders of the Labour Movement. It is also a well known fact that the history of Labour Day is pretty interesting. It goes back to May 1st 1886 when Labour Unions went on strike in the United States of America (USA) and demanded that workers should not be forced to work more than eight (8) hours a day.
This strike was followed by a bomb blast in Chicago’s Haymarket Square on May4thand took the lives of Several people, including police officers, and injured more than one hundred (100) persons as well.
Moreover, the strike did not have any immediate effect on the labourer’s work, but it did help in establishing the eight (8) hour work day rule in India and other countries around the world.
Right here in our very beautiful Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis the Labour Movement is proud of our workforce. Kittitians and Nevisiansare savvy and talented people who want to be prosperous and are willing to work hard to improve their standard of living.
The Labour Movement also salutesthe many dedicated volunteers who are making a tremendous difference in the lives of others as well.
During the Labour Weekend Celebration and the final holiday of the summer all we asked of the workers was to take a moment to reflect on the character and spirit that make St. Kitts and Nevis workforce second to none.
In addition, we thank them for their continued efforts towards making St. Kitts and Nevis the unique place that it is today.
Happy Labour Day 2018.