On Tuesday, June 13th 2023, the Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator the Honourable Hassel Bacchus, delivered greetings to the Senate in honour of Labour Day which will be celebrated on Monday June 19th 2023 in Trinidad and Tobago.
June 19th is the anniversary of the Butler Oilfield Riots (1937) which was largely mobilized by Grenadian immigrant, Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler who called for higher wages, improved living and working conditions, and unions to represent the rights of workers.
The Minister paid tribute to the contributions made by labour organizations and activists in improving labour conditions and legislation in T&T. He also called for continued partnerships aimed at transforming the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
“It is about forging genuine partnerships to explore and implement solutions that are fit for purpose in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and very dynamic environment.”
“On behalf of the Government bench, and on behalf of the entire Government, it is my Honour and Privilege to extend Greetings and Best Wishes to the Labour Movement, and to all Workers and Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as our country prepares to celebrate Labour Day next Monday the 19th of June.
It was on that day, June 19th, in 1973 that this annual holiday was first declared. History reminds us that the labour uprising (known as the Butler Riots) in June of 1937 marked the start of the modern Trade Union Movement in this country. Labour Day affords solemn recognition to the many contributions made by Labour organizations and by labour activists in their quest to improve Labour conditions and legislation over the years. Prominent Labour figures including greats like Tubal Uriah Butler, Captain A A Cipriani, George Weekes, Emma Francois, Adrain Rienzi, Daisy Crick, Albert Gomes and many many more, have made an indelible mark on the labour landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.
Our Country, like the region and the world, is experiencing a period of rapid and profound change. The way we live; the way we socialize and interact with each other; and the way we work and conduct business are all being simultaneously revolutionized.
Against this backdrop, we, and labour movement is included, we must take concerted action to:
Build a resilient Trinidad and Tobago in the face of Change;
Provide a safety net for the most vulnerable of our Citizens to receive the Resources, Support and Training needed for success; and
Take advantage of every opportunity to strengthen and grow our Economy and
Unlock the vast potential of our people.
Mr President, these uncertain times are not unlike the early 20th century when workers recognised that success is built on hard work. With the conviction that a unifying force could, together, overcome all challenges, they worked shoulder to shoulder towards a common vision.
Our Labour Day Celebration this year presents an opportunity for our Citizens, our Team Trinidad & Tobago, to come together in active partnership and take ownership of our challenges, so that together, we can overcome them as we fix our eyes firmly on the vision of a strong, safe, prosperous and secure twin island Republic that takes advantage of all the blessings that our Creator has heaped upon us.
The history of the Labour Movement contains important lessons for us. There is a popular saying that if you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you are and if you don’t know where you are then you don’t know where you are going”.
Our Labour movement, which was born out of the struggle in the 1930’s emerged victorious because of the partnerships that were built and the willingness to stay the course. I am of the firm belief that now, more than ever, we recognise that the Tripartite relationship established, was indeed then and is now a Partnership through which the founders of the Labour Movement explored common solutions to these seemingly intractable challenges.
Given current and prevailing circumstances, that relationship has evolved. It is no longer about negotiating a balance between competing interests. Rather, it is about forging genuine partnership to explore and implement solutions that are fit for purpose in a fast paced, constantly evolving, and very dynamic environment.
A rejuvenated Tripartite Process could present a new ways to explore the delivery of end-to-end workplace and national solutions, through the pursuit of appropriate and genuine partnerships. As we celebrate Labour Day 2023, let us also use the opportunity to continue forging these partnerships that will take our beloved country of Trinidad and Tobago to the next level of development.
On behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, I extend best wishes to the Labour movement and to all workers and citizens as we celebrate Labour Day.
May God bless our industrious Nation.”
