"Basic Schools - Building Better Values."
Text of Labour Day message by
Prime Minister
Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, P.C., Q.C,. M.P.
Thursday May 23, 1996
UWI LIBRARIES
"A new vision of
the role of
our workers"
f
Text of Labour Day message by
Prime Minister
Rt. Hon . P. J. Pa tte rso n, P. C., Q. C, . M. P.
Thursday May 23, 1996
UWI LIBRARIES
0 nee again, we are celebrating Labour Day as we
pause to acknowledge the contribution of our
workers to the building of our nation.
We have developed a fine tradition in which we do so
by giving voluntary labour for the benefit of our
communities. It is a wonderful way in which we pay
tribute to those who came before us and instilled in our
national psyche the value and dignity of labour. I am
happy to say that this year has been no exception and
that the tradition lives on.
While recalling with pride the contribution of workers in
times past, this year I particularly wish to focus on the
challenges faced by our workers on this Labour Day,
1996.
We are in an environment which requires our workers to
come to terms with global realities. These dictate a new
perspective, a new vision of their role with regard to our
nation's economic growth and to their own personal wellbeing
which are all inextricably linked.
We are faced squarely with the immediate need to meet
the demands of the global economic environment and
the challenge of international competitiveness. We are
seeing clearly that we can no longer postpone the
necessary radical changes to the way we have been
operating our enterprises over the past several decades
- it literally can no longer be business as usual.
A NEW VISION OF THE ROLE OF OUR WORKERS 1
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The discussions we have been holding on the Social
Partnership give a clear indication that the major social
partners - workers, employers and Government -
are indeed now ready and willing to make the necessary
adjustments; to operate in an environment of conciliation
and give and take as together we seek to meet these
challenges. I look forward to a new era of constructive
cooperation between all the social partners.
There are other very positive developments which augur
well for the future of our workers.
Firstly, the National Industrial Policy sets clear targets
and outlines specific roles for each sector. It will be our
guide as we implement bold new strategies which are
carefully designed to meet the country's needs for growth
and development well into the twenty-first century. I
urge everyone to participate in the fora which will be
taking place across the island as we move into the
implementation phase. Come and hear all about it and
learn what role you can play.
The recommendations of the Labour Market Reform
Committee are being studied by Cabinet for early
implementation. Representatives of organised labour
made important contributions to this report so the
interests of workers are well represented.
Let us also remember the benefits to be derived from
Employee Share Ownership Programmes (ESOPs). ESOP
legislation has established a legal framework to facilitate
share-ownership by workers of the enterprises in which
they work. Special financing arrangements are also
available for ESOP programmes.
2 A NEW VISION OF THE ROLE OF OUR WORKERS
We in Government are playing our part as we ensure
that we build ESOP participation in enterprises which
are being privatised under the Government's programme.
I know there is an understandable temptation for workers
when they are negotiating wage and fringe benefit
contracts to look to immediate cash benefits, but I believe
we must seriously consider employee share ownership
plans as a benefit that has great potential for future profit
both for enterprises and for individual workers as well.
It gives workers some say as shareholders in the operation
of the enterprise so that they can have some influence
on decisions based on their experience on the shop floor,
or in middle management - a perspective that is
obviously of value to any enterprise.
ESOPs can help improve working relationships and help
to establish a common purpose for all.
So let us seek to strike the right balance between
immediate benefits and future security for yourself and
your children in the enterprise in which you work.
Let 1996 be the year when workers actively pursue the
ESOP avenue for their own economic betterment.
I want to mention also the question of greater
productivity. We have at least one example in which a
bauxite company has developed a very successful
productivity scheme. I urge other organisations to
explore once again this means for increased earnings -
increases based not simply on trying to catch up with
A NEW VISION OF Tl-IB ROLE OF OUR WORKERS 3
UWI LIBRARIES
inflation , but based on actual improvements in
performance.
I must also say a word about our many, many small
businesses which are among the major areas of growth.
Small business persons play the dual role of worker and
employer in their enterprises. They too have an important
role to play in increasing productivity.
Finally, I want to thank all of you who have once again
demonstrated such great community spirit by the many,
many Labour Day projects which were planned. The
young students of today are the workers of tomorrow.
Not only did you enter into the spirit of the theme -
Basic Schools - Building Better Values - by assisting
basic schools throughout the island, but many of you
have also planned other very useful activities in your
community.
I thank each and every one of you. I am confident that
this spirit of community will be maintained throughout
the entire year.
May God bless you all and bless Jamaica - this beautiful
land we love.
D
./
4 A NEW VISION OF THE ROLE OF OUR WORKERS
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