The People’s National Party (PNP), in their annual Labour Day address, has urged the government to prioritise its workers in the public sector.

In a release on Monday, the PNP stated that while there have been many accomplishments for workers since the 1938 Labour unrest, those strides can easily be undone if the rights of workers are not taken seriously by the country’s leaders.

“In 1938, our country embarked on a new trajectory and at the centre of this was our political parties and trade unions. Both institutions merged their efforts to advance the quality of life for all our citizens, with workers’ rights being at the centre of the efforts,” the PNP’s statement read.

“But, this greatness can be eroded if we do not take care of the foundational principles that have guided the development of our modern labour movement. These principles have been buttressed on respect, fairness, consultation and equality. The recent situation in the labour market as it relates to public sector re-classification and compensation review threatens to undermine and retard these principles.”

The Opposition party said workers and their trade unions cannot be conceived as passive contributors to the process but must be seen as a preeminent part of the negotiating and bargaining process.

This is why the Opposition is demanding that the Government pay due respect to the workers in the public sector and their trade union representatives.”

Reiterating that the country “stands on the shoulders of men and women who continue to work tirelessly for us to be great,” the PNP highlighted workers must be treated with “respect and dignity.”

“As we celebrate Labour Day 2022, let us step back, with the aim of moving forward, in recognising the rights and freedoms of our workers and trade unions and pay them the true respect they deserve,” the Opposition said.