KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding on Thursday joined hands and got to work for the National Labour Day project at the Institute of Jamaica.

Labour Day 2024 is being observed under the theme ‘Ramp up the access… Show that you care’, with a focus on people with disabilities, the elderly and the vulnerable.

During day’s projects, both the prime minister and the opposition leader painted a ramp at the Institute of Jamaica which both praised for its contribution to the country.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding paint a ramp as part of the National Labour Day project at the Institute of Jamaica.

Speaking during the official ceremony, Golding commended the decision to bring into Labour Day this year the issue of creating better access and inclusivity for persons with disabilities.

“Labour Day is a day of unity. It is a day when we come together, not really as politicians, but as leaders of one Jamaica and we demonstrate the importance of put our shoulders to the wheel collectively to move the country forward and I am very happy to be part of that and I look forward to today’s activities here. The Institute (of Jamaica) is a tremendous institution of cultural preservation, natural history preservation and generally, part of the intellectual capital of Jamaica.,” Golding said.

Meanwhile, Holness noted that in observation of the holiday, the government was focused on building ramps and improving access ways, walk ways and entrances.

“Labour Day is an important day and tradition in Jamaica. The Jamaican state as we know it was born out of the labour movement of the 1930s. We mark the sacrifice and struggle of our workers and we honour their contribution to the development of Jamaican institutions, culture and industry,” the prime minister said.

“This year, we focus on access for elderly persons, for persons with disabilities and for the vulnerable generally. We will be building ramps and improving access ways, walk ways and entrances to do just that, to improve the access, the ability to enter our buildings,” he added.