KINGSTON, Jamaica — Workers’ Week 2026 will be observed from May 17 to 25 under the theme “Voices Heard: Shaping Labour Policies in an Evolving Labour Market”.

The week of activities will place workers at the centre of policy development, ensuring their voices help shape the future of work in Jamaica.

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Gillian Corrodus, explained that this year’s theme is a clear call to action, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and bold, forward-looking policies.

She emphasised that the observance empowers Jamaican workers to navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Corrodus disclosed that 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Labour Relations Code, established in 1976.

Alongside the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act (LRIDA) and other statutes, the code continues to promote sound industrial relations.

As in previous years, the Workers’ Week/Labour Day 2026 Planning Committee comprises key ministries, departments and agencies, and private sector entities.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will lead the programme of activities for Workers’ Week, while the National Labour Day Secretariat in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will oversee Labour Day, which will be observed on Monday, May 25.

The week’s activities will begin on Sunday, May 17, with the National Workers’ Week and Labour Day Thanksgiving Service at St John’s Methodist Church in Montego Bay, St James, commencing at 10:00 am.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Industrial Dispute Tribunal (IDT) will host a symposium under the theme “Promoting Justice, Fairness and Workplace Harmony”, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew.

The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Aggie Bernard Monument on the Kingston Waterfront will be held on Thursday, May 21. This event honours the enduring legacy of Agnes “Aggie” Bernard, a pioneering trade unionist and workers’ advocate who championed the rights of domestic workers and women in the workforce.

Also on May 21, the Ministry of Labour will host the St Ann leg of its Labour Talks Roadshow under the theme “Rebuilding a Resilient and Productive Jamaica”. The event will be held at Holiday Haven Condo Resort, Runaway Bay, St Ann, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

On Friday, May 22, the fifth staging of Frome Reflections will be held at Workers Park, Frome, Westmoreland, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The park holds historic significance as the epicentre of the 1938 labour riots. Participants will benefit from services and information provided by several ministry booth holders and other government agencies and departments.

On May 23 and 24, visits will be made to centenarians across the island to recognise their invaluable contributions to Jamaica’s labour history.

The week will culminate on Monday, May 25, with Labour Day projects staged islandwide.

These initiatives will underscore the importance of collective voice, unity and advocacy in shaping progressive labour policies, while reinforcing the need for continuous skills development, adaptability and resilience in response to evolving global and local labour trends.

Workers’ Week 2026 is both commemorative and forward-looking, underscoring the need for workers, employers and stakeholders to remain actively engaged so that labour policies reflect lived experiences within a dynamic labour market.

— JIS