Minister Minors: No Change In Labour Day Holiday

April 17, 2012

Bermuda will maintain its observance of Labour Day as the first Monday in September, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said today [Apr.17].

This follows after a consultation process regarding the proposed date change of Labour Day from September to May.

Several weeks ago the Bermuda Trade Union Congress submitted a request to Minister Minors and the Premier Paula Cox for consideration of moving the holiday date to reflect the true recognition of International Workers’ Day [also known as May Day] on May 1st.

Information gathered as a part of a review suggests that the May Day holiday is observed in more than 80 countries and is a day when workers join together in celebrating the labour movement.

At the time of the submission, Minister Minors said she wanted to first consult with other key stakeholders for their input before the matter was put before her Cabinet colleagues for decision.

A statement said, “However, based on consultation with the Ministry of Education; the Ministry or Business Development and Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce; the Bermuda Employers Council; the Bermuda Hotel Association; the Association of Bermuda International Companies; the Construction Association of Bermuda; the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers and the Bermuda Industrial Union; and the unquestionable reasons put forth opposing the date change, residents can be assured that Labour Day will continue to be celebrated in September.”

Minister Minors said, “There was strong support for the proposal on behalf of the BTUC. However, it was necessary to seek consultation with those important entities in our community, who also have a vested interest in any change in date of the Labour Day holiday.

“While the Trade Union Congress’ view is relevant, in that the cultural and historical significance of May 1st represents the legacy of the struggle for equality and fair treatment for workers and workers rights, I had to take a wider and broader view of what kind of effect such a date change could have on our overall economy, our school system, our hoteliers and tourism product and of course our residents. Simply put the negatives outweighed the positives,” concluded Minister Minors.

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  1. Employers Council Supports Labour Day Decision | Bernews.com | April 19, 2012
  1. Motts Apple Sauce says:

    Does anyone know if the parade route has change for May 24 again?

  2. Navin Johnson says:

    I can exhale now as I have been holding my breath for this decision….good thing I did not hold my breath waiting for Marc Bean to do the right thing….

    • pepper says:

      Mark will have to go along with Zane and Wayne !!! he has no choice, Brown has told him what he must do.

  3. Mad Dawg says:

    You see that Minister Bean? Even Minors, with all her limitations, can make a decision on something simple in less than 6 months.

  4. Cancer says:

    Congrats on this one! I’m finally saying Minister Minors has done something right. I never thought I’d see the day. Take this as a compliment Ms Minors as they dont come from me too often…

  5. Rockfish#1and#2 says:

    Well done Minister Minors,a decision made in a reasonable time frame. Despite the fact that so much discussion was needed.

  6. Pastor Syl says:

    I appreciate that the effort was made to consult with many relevant stakeholders, and also that the decision made appears to be derived from a majority viewpoint. Besides, 2 major holidays/parades in May would seem to be overkill.

  7. Somebody's Momma says:

    I am grateful that the Holiday is remaining in September.

  8. Finally some common sense says:

    At last!! That was a no brainer. I am pleased with the outcome.

    Our economy is inextricably tied to the US and it makes sense to work in sync.

    In addition, it makes no sense to have our schools out twice within 3 weeks for Labour Day and Bermuda Day, and it would have created a long time between Cup Match and Rememberance Day for the workers to have a break.

    Not wishing to negate the importance of the International Labour Day observance, maybe they can change their day to agree with ours!

    • LaVerne Furbert says:

      “Not wishing to negate the importance of the International Labour Day observance, maybe they can change their day to agree with ours!” That’s a very sensible statement. Maybe you might want to start lobbying the international unions.

      • jt says:

        As long as there’s free chicken, I’m in.

      • Hmmmm says:

        First it was trying to move our public holiday, then you told us not to eat at KFC. Really Minors, you should have told the union not to be so damned ridiculous and not proceeded with wasting yours and many Bermudians hours of peoples time on such a stupid exercise that adds no value to Bermuda.

      • Pastor Syl says:

        @ LaVerne: For someone who calls her writing ‘satire’, it amazes me that you don’t recognize it when used by others.

  9. Truth is killing' me... says:

    LaVerne Furbert…yah always gotta go against the grain. Why don’t you try sanding the cedar wif de grain and you might end up with a smooth finish.

  10. Can't Take It Anymore says:

    True Bermudians! Instead of doing what is right, as always we think of ourselves and do only what benefits ous. We should be teaching our children the right things to do instead of the wrong. Then we wonder why they are out there disrespecting us! You reap what you sow people!