SVG marks Labour Day with Rally

Maternity leave, the right to picket, trade unions, group insurance and uniforms; these are some of the benefits that employees in St. Vincent and the Grenadines enjoy on a daily basis.{{more}}

But are these benefits appreciated by the workers who enjoy them? President of the National Labour Congress (NLC) Noel Jackson does not think so.

In an emotional address last Friday at the Workers’ Day rally at Heritage Square, Jackson said that these rights and privileges are taken for granted, and no care is given to the organizations and individuals responsible for establishing and building what is enjoyed.

He said that this was evident by the low turn out of persons at the rally.

“We enjoy those rights and those benefits today without asking ourselves how they came about. They came about as a result of the hard struggle and sacrifice by those who came before.”

“Some predecessors were hanged and imprisoned. There are leaders in the labour movement who died in poverty because they concentrated all of their energy and lives towards the development of their workers. Had they taken the time and concentrated on their personal development, they could have done much better.”

Jackson in his speech, called for a better appreciation of the people who continue to make the life of employees here more comfortable in the workplace.

He said that because times are changing, the work of these individuals and organizations will always be a challenge.

“We are working hard on behalf of the people of this country. We continue to do tremendous work to date, but we are faced with challenges everyday.”

“Today is a day when we ought to be more sober than any other day in our lives, but it seems like that is not the case.”

“In a number of countries throughout the world (workers) have had riots and marches, but in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we are free to march and do whatever we want and we choose to go on the beach.” (JJ)