Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, says Labour Day on Monday, May 1, was a special one because of the current high level of economic activity on the island; the unprecedented high level of employment and the high quality of jobs available.

“The level of governance that our administration has brought to Anguilla, over the last six years, is by and large responsible for the prosperity we experience today,” Mr. Fleming asserted in his Labour Day message. “I say this to re-enforce … that good labour relations, high quality jobs, high employment rates and a good standard of living are deeply-rooted in our democratic ideals that keep our country stable year after year.”

The Chief Minister emphasised that the stability Anguilla has been experiencing was a pivotal factor in its economic success.

“Anguilla is becoming known around the world as a country of opportunity and integrity,” he continued. “With the boom in construction and other sectors, it will be necessary for us to ensure that we adopt strong labour laws that symbolize this integrity and show that we are serious about the protection of our workers and that they are fairly treated.”

He thanked the many Anguillian and other workers for their dedication and contribution to the development of the island and their professionalism. “Our Government promises to protect the advances made on your behalf and will forge ahead in making your working environment, conditions and standards even better,” he pledged.

The Chief Minister called on employees and employers to support strongly the core values on which progressive labour laws are based: fairness, justice, solidarity, prosperity and opportunity for all. “We must also view strong labour laws based on these values as a human right, not a privilege of status or wealth,” he stressed. “We want and expect our labour laws to remain true to these values.”

Mr. Fleming reflected that Labour Day, like other achievements, was won over decades of struggle. He said such matters as social insurance, public education, safe workplaces, paid vacations, overtime pay, minimum wages, child labour laws, equal rights, voting rights and civil rights had come about because of courageous, visionary and determined men and women.

“All Anguillians benefit from the gains made by the labour union over the past century and Anguilla will be an even better place when progressive labour standards are enacted and enforced,” the Chief Minister added.

CM Osbourne Fleming

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News