EDITORIAL

THIS country celebrates the accomplishments which have been fought for by the labour movement over the past two centuries.

 

Too often, we sit back and take for granted, things which we have come to accept as common-place. The right to work in safe environments, free from the threat of unfair dismissal. In fact, both parties over the years have contributed to strengthening the labour protection framework, to ensure that workers have structure and security in the workplace.

 

This included the passage of landmark legislation which guarantees workers’ rights. The Employment Rights Bill which was only passed a few years ago was a major step in the direction of workers having the chance to approach each day with confidence. It is not perfect... no legislation is perfect, but it provides the template which governs the way in which workers’ rights are covered within the legal framework of this island.

 

However, we must widen the conversation to a more inclusive discussion and partnership between the relevant sectors of this island. When we mention workers we must not forget the history which this island has had over the years. Barbados, though relatively stable, was in fact, very similar to other agrarian-based economies and societies. 

 

We built an economy and society, which was based on the plantation model. The entire system was tied to life which depended on the outputs of the plantation. At the centre was the labour-based system which developed the main product – sugar and eventually the by-products of rum, molasses and other items. Labour was at the centre, but it was forced labour, who had no rights and were not paid. It meant a centralisation of wealth in the hands of a select few.

 

Ultimately it led to an unbalanced Barbadian society. Even after the physical chains fell off, the social and economic chains remained firmly intact. The lack of advancement and opportunities created the conditions which ultimately paved the way for the 1937 riots which ushered in the formation of a new consciousness within the majority in this island. This chain of events, including the findings of the Moyne Commission, led to the attainment of full adult suffrage and the opening up of access to advancement. Access was not easy. The transition from a plantation focused economy to one which was more advanced meant that our people had to be educated in the skills which would be needed to make this island the envy of the world. This meant guaranteeing access to education from primary to tertiary, but also the understanding that this development towards the next stage of our country’s growth must have the buy-in of all sectors.

 

Too often, in the recent skirmishes which we see between labour unions and the other partners in this growth path, seems tilted in one direction over another. Government and the private sector has to be given some respect in these discussions and only if we embrace a fully nationalistic approach will we understand that there is a way that this expected disagreements can be handled. 

 

Disagreements are a part of the capitalist system. Agreements have to honoured and workers have to be compensated for the effort which they put into the success of their places of employment. However, a degree of respect should be offered to employers as well and we seem to forget that fact in the heat of disagreement. One hand cannot clap... let us remember this especially when we celebrate May Day and those workers who paved the way for us in this time. Let us resolve to work together to ensure that we lay the platform for the next generation of workers and employers.