On this international day of worker solidarity, the executive council of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) headed by General Secretary Senator Toni Moore offers a spring of hope for workers in this very trying time as part of her May Day message.
“We might not be able to gather to celebrate in the way we usually do marching in the streets, but we have been reinvigorated to find other ways to demonstrate our strength and solidarity,” Senator Moore said.
She continued, “The significance of this day and the recognition of your contribution to the growth and development of this country as its most important resource, its human capital, will never go unnoticed. This country and this economy churns because of you.”
This coronavirus pandemic has exposed the cracks and frailty of our system. It has altered the rhetoric from “not business as usual” to “the new normal,” triggering the need for rapid changes to agreements and workplace policies, becoming the unlikely catalyst for positive change.
The response to COVID-19 requires a revolutionary approach toward achieving a Barbados that works for all Bajans and we will continue our work to ensure sustainability that puts people at the centre – Secure Employees, Sustainable Economies – the theme of this year’s May Day celebrations.
On this day, in this season of uncertainty we must also give kudos to those organisations who have been working with the union to ensure protection of jobs at this time. Those companies that have recognised the importance of their most valuable resource – their people. To all who have been outstanding in their commitment to preserve jobs, the BWU says thank you for your support as we navigate these uncharted times together.
However, today as we get ready to celebrate ‘inside’, we start by highlighting the efforts of a few like Chefette Restaurants and its manufacturing arm, Chef Foods. During the current COVID-19 pandemic Chefette’s senior management has distributed BBD$165,000 as a “monetary gift” to its line staff to help those persons who had already used their vacation prior to the first three weeks of April 2020. Sir Assad, Ryan and Janine Haloute personally donated BBD$100,000 towards that $165,000 payment.
Nicholas Mouttet – CEO ANSA McAL Barbados Ltd has committed to navigating together with us in this critical balance between lives and livelihoods, noting that more than ever we must work together to collectively face the challenge this virus has created for companies and workers in our beloved island.
Log on to our social media pages and you will see and read messages from Barbados Light & Power management and their Barbados Workers Union division speaking to their joint communication and collaboration on plans for the evolution of safe, workable solutions to the benefit of the company and its workers. They too have committed their full support in navigating these uncharted times together.
A part of our social media drive will include video, audio and photo messages throughout the day and over the next few days committing support, thanking essential workers and hearing from those essential workers with their own heartfelt messages from the frontline.
We salute all workers of Barbados but particularly those who over the past five weeks have kept the very fabric of our society intact. This crisis has shown the world what we have always known – that all workers play an important role in the economy. Whenever this is over, we will continue to forge forward together.
Comrades, workers and people of Barbados, happy May Day! Stay safe!
