CONCEALING their faces and company logos beneath party colours and makeshift coverings, some Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters attempted to dodge the camera’s glare on Thursday, quietly admitting they had skipped work or fabricated excuses about running late to witness the ceremonial opening of Parliament.

According to some of the diehards clad in green, the JLP colour, they have attended the annual ceremony for years and would not allow their bosses to stand in the way of them showing support for their parliamentary representatives.

When approached by the Jamaica Observer, some were sceptical to speak out of fear of getting caught, but others spoke boldly with no remorse or regret for the decision they made.

One woman, decked in a neon green shirt, proudly declared that she had to skip work to attend the ceremony because she believes Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is doing a good job.

“We have to show Jamaicans seh wi have respect same way and is one Brogad,” she said, referencing the moniker first given to Holness in the 2020 General Election campaign.

“He is the biggest man in the country right now, away from God. Him show the respect; him help people, him help old people, him help PNP [People’s National Party supporters] and him help JLP [supporters], so I have to come, because a big thing that,” she told the Observer.

When asked what she told her boss to secure time off, the woman said she explained that she would be using the time to “uplift my country”.

She shared that, unlike others, she would not cover her face or hide in a corner because, in her eyes, she is not doing anything wrong.

“Weh me a fi hide fah? Mi can’t hide because him deh there for we so we have to be there for him to strengthen him back,” she said.

Another bold supporter, decked out in JLP merchandise, sat patiently awaiting the arrival of St Andrew Eastern Member of Parliament and Finance Minister Fayval Williams.

“I have to be here. It couldn’t keep without me because [Fayval Williams] a go talk because she is the finance minister and a she a my Member of Parliament and me love her dearly… I tell my boss say him know me a Labourite… him can’t stop me,” she declared.

One supporter, unfazed by potential repercussions, openly declared that she works for the State-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company, which falls under the portfolio managed by Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz.

She said that, as far as she is concerned, Vaz is the person she ultimately reports to and she does not believe he would object to her attending the opening ceremony.

“My Government give me my work so me have to come to Parliament and ensure that everything alright so when we get the fourth term other people can get work also… Daryl Vaz is my boss and him see me, so [my boss] can’t do me anything,” she told the Observer.

However, not every supporter was as vocal about their choice to skip work, with many ducking and covering their faces when a camera was raised to capture the fanfare at the event.

“Miss, make sure say me nuh inna the pictures or videos because a work mi fi deh,” said one supporter. Another supporter quickly chimed in, “Wait, is it a picture you a go tek? Mek me move, because mi nuh want my boss si mi”, before rushing out of the frame.

A few supporters were also dressed in ski masks in their work uniforms with the logos concealed and only their eyes visible, adamant they would not do any interviews for fear that their bosses would identify them by the sound of their voice.

Some supporters huddled in small groups as they laughed about the lies they told their bosses and the times they needed to leave the ceremony to make it to work. However, conversations halted when the Observer appeared.

When pressed, only one supporter decided to talk, stating that she was within her right to take the time off.

“Mi nuh have to tell my boss nothing; I just tell him seh I beg him some time and mi come. Mi a guh back and change inna mi work clothes. If you take a half day it’s out of your pay it a come, dem nuh business. As long you are a good worker, him a guh give you the time,” said the party supporter.