MESSAGE FROM
MOST HON. P.J. PATTERSON ON, PC, QC, MP
PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA
LABOUR DAY 2004
My Fellow Jamaicans:
The labour movement in Jamaica has its origins in the
struggles of the workers in 1938 for better working and
living conditions for themselves and their families. It is from
this movement that our political parties emerged and we
began the process which led to our Independence.
UWI LIBRARIES
Today, the descendants of the workers of 1938 are masters
in their own land. The precious right for which they
engaged in the struggles of that era - the freedom to join
trade unions and bargain collectively - is now guaranteed by
our Constitution and sanctioned by the laws enacted since
our Independence.
As we continue with justifiable confidence in ourselves, to
pursue our goal of creating a prosperous, peaceful and
equitable society, the workers of our nation enjoy the central
role which is rightfully theirs.
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In these early years of the twenty-first century, we are
engaged in the critical process of transforming our economy
to meet the demands of an international trade order:
traditional preferential and protectionist trading methods are
being rapidly phased out and liberalized trading regimes are
extended.
In this process, we have made good progress in
implementing the institutional changes that make our
bureaucracy more efficient. We have created an enabling
environment for investors, entrepreneurs and workers and
are seeking to increase our capacity for greater productivity
at the workplace.
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Of equal importance have been our efforts at consensus
building as we work to raise productivity and efficiency. We
have actively promoted the closest collaboration between all
sectors of labour and management at all levels.
We are enjoying commendable success.
I am truly heartened by the new environment in our country.
Government, workers and private sector are now working
together, in closer partnership and are freely sharing ideas,
experiences and resources for the national good.
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UWI LIBRARIES
As we celebrate Labour Day this year, we can all take pride
in the historic Memorandum of Understanding between the
government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions,
and the continuing consultations between all sectors which
underscore our commitment to put Jamaica first.
Already we are seeing positive and measurable results of
this new attitude in the critical sectors of tourism and
bauxite with the remarkable increase in investment and job
creation with the ensuing benefits to the economy.
So this year, as we celebrate Labour Day, when we pay
tribute to the workers of our country, we do so in a new
spirit of confidence and hope.
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Since 1972, we have developed a tradition of using this
special day to give volunteer service on projects that benefit
our communities.
This year, national activities center around road safety
projects as we focus on the value of life and the need for
greater care and consideration for users of our roads,
especially our children and our elderly.
Many of you will therefore be assisting with the painting of
pedestrian crossings and erecting road safety signs which
will help to keep us all alert - whether pedestrians or
motorists.
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Please remember that the signs can alert us, but each of us
must obey the rules of the road and pay attention to traffic
signals. Each of us must act responsibly as we work to
reduce injury and death on our roads which cost the country
dearly, not only through the financial burden on our nation
but through the tragedy of personal loss to far too many of
our families.
So this Labour Day, whether you participate in a road safety
project or in other projects which your community has
planned to mark the day, let this be the beginning of a new
era in our land. Let us try harder to exercise courtesy,
consideration and respect for each other not only on the
roads but in all areas of daily contact with each other at
home, at school and at the workplace.
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UWI LIBRARIES
As we salute the workers of Jamaica, I hope all of you will
enjoy the community and goodwill that our special way of
marking Labour Day is designed to create.
May God continue to bless us all and bless Jamaica, land we
love.
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UWI LIBRARIES
