CTUSAB Urges Focus on Workers’ Struggles and Gains in May Day Celebrations

On this May Day, The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) says the labour movement should focus today’s celebrations on the struggles and gains made by workers and press for critical issues to be addressed.

CTUSAB says there is now much emphasis on entertainment at May Day celebrations and it cautions that this should not be allowed to overshadow the true meaning of the day which promotes the rights of workers.

Below is the full text of CTUSAB’s May Day Message

Across the globe, International Workers’ Day, commonly referred to as Labour Day or May Day, has been traditionally celebrated as the workers’ day. Its intent has always been that of celebrating the nation’s workers and their contribution to the well-being and development of the country.

It has been the traditional practice for international trade unions to organize a march on Labour Day, to highlight, and voice the concerns of labour and celebrate the achievements of labour. In these modern times, labour marches have been replaced by the staging of rallies, where workers assemble at a given location to hear speeches made by labour leaders that address the conditions of work and workers’ concerns. These were occasions used to promote workers’ solidarity and unity of purpose.

Currently, the highlight of the celebration of International Workers’ Day is the staging of an event that features speeches from trade union leaders, members of the government of the day, and the leadership of the private sector. However, it is apparent that the main attraction of the celebration, as advertised, is its entertainment component.

This ought to be a cause for sobering reflection by trade union leaders whose inquiring minds should question the purposefulness and utility of the modern-day event. In so doing, Trade Union leaders need to commemorate the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement. And, whereas there is a place for entertainment and social activities as part of the day’s celebration, these should never overshadow the day’s proceedings with an emphasis on a rallying call for changes and actions that redound to the advancement of workers and the labour movement.

International Workers’ Day should be an occasion to promote the political will of the workers. It should never be used as a platform for political expediency or the promotion of individual interest.

Addressing the struggles and rights of workers has always been an integral role of trade unions, with the attendant responsibility to promote the rights of working-class people and to protect them from exploitation.