Every year on May 23rd, scores of Jamaicans from various school, church and civic groups plant trees, repair elderly neighbour’s homes, or give community centres a fresh coat of paint. Labour Day in Jamaica is synonymous with all these activities, but what some Jamaicans may not know the origins of the modern Labour Day.
The international Labour Day movement was born out of the struggle to free workers from gross exploitation, racism and repression, all of which hallmarked the late nineteenth century. Since 1890, many countries have reserved May 1st as the day to officially honour the Labour movement, with some countries choosing different days in May to celebrate it. In Jamaica, Labour Day is celebrated on May 23rd.
In 1961, a Bill in Parliament abolished the public holiday Empire Day – the May 24th birthday of Queen Victoria of England, who is attributed with the abolition of slavery. The new Bill in Parliament designated May 23rd as Labour Day; this day also marks the anniversary of the beginning of Jamaica’s working-class movement in 1938.
That year, the island was rife with labour unrest; workers were severely underpaid and subsequently went on strike, demanding better wages. St. William Grant was a prominent figure who arose from the infamous 1938 upheavals. A black nationalist, Garveyite and labour leader, Grant spoke loudly for workers’ rights, leading to his arrest for his firm stances. Although he died in relative obscurity and poverty, his contributions were later acknowledged and remembered. He was awarded the Order of Distinction posthumously in 1974, with Kingston’s Victoria Park renamed in his memory in 1977.
The 1938 upheavals sparked the formation of trade unions, which championed the cause of Jamaican workers. From 1961-1971, Labour Day was celebrated by these trade unions with the political parties they were affiliated with. Celebrations usually took the form of public rally meetings and marches mostly held in the Corporate Area. Occasionally, marches of the opposing major trade unions and the political parties clashed, contrary to Labour Day’s original concept of being a demonstration of unity among Jamaica’s workers.
In 1972, then-Prime Minister Michael Manley appealed to all Jamaicans to make Labour Day a day of voluntary labour. He spearheaded this movement by clearing land on Palisadoes Road. Clubs, groups and organizations across the island have been coopted into the call for community service, giving many hours of free labour, from beautifying public areas to building basic schools.
Before 1989, decisions about Labour Day projects ultimately rested in the hands of groups and individuals. That year, however, the Jamaican government introduced themes as a guide for planning Labour Day activities. Themes have included road safety, respect for the elderly, and health and the environment.