By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 27th January 2022) — “No matter our socio-economic background, political stripe or creed, none can deny that the history of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is inextricably woven together in the tapestry of progress of this great land of beauty, our St. Kitts and Nevis.” So said the new National Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Dr. Terrance Drew while making remarks at a church service in observance of the 90th anniversary of the Labour movement held on Sunday 23rd January 2022 at the New Birth Gospel Tabernacle in Cayon.
According to Dr. Drew: “January 25th, 1932 marks the turning point when after almost 100 years of struggle since emancipation from the brutal and inhumane slave system, the working people of St. Kitts and Nevis finally got their breakthrough with the formation of a new body that combined a genuine concern for the welfare of the working class with the middle-class objectives of representative government and introduction of the elective principle.”
He pointed out that it was on that day in January 1932 “that a downtrodden and oppressed people recognized that their power to transform their circumstances lay in each other, in their ability to organize together, to march together, to fight together, informed by an unwavering commitment to serving their fellow countrymen ‘For the Good that They Can Do.’” Dr. Drew saluted the founding members of the Workers League — Mr. Thomas Manchester (President), W.A.H. Seaton (Vice-President), J.L. Harnery (Treasurer), J.W. Blackette (Secretary), J.M. Sebastian and Joseph Nathan.
Dr. Drew also applauded the movement’s achievements over 90 years, including workers’ rights such as the 40-hour work week, increased minimum wages, Social Security and severance pay; political rights including adult suffrage for both men and women; affordable housing through the Central Housing Corporation; universal free education from primary to secondary level; quality health care; and affordable access to tertiary education. On Tuesday 25th January, the 90th anniversary was celebrated with a ‘Red Day’ solidarity activity and a special radio programme on Freedom FM.