Labour Day celebrations in various parts of the country were set to reflect on the 1937 Butler Oilfield Riots while also assessing the current state of our economy as well as the way forward.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar recognised the struggles of labourers in her Labour Day message. She noted the hardships of the past decade, citing “economic mismanagement, rising costs of living, and policies that too often ignored the real concerns of working families”.
The Prime Minister assured that work is being done, stating, “My government has inherited deep and serious challenges, but I want you to know that we are not turning a blind eye. We are working, tirelessly and urgently, to fix what was broken. She urged patience from citizens and the labour movement as the government works on laying groundwork “for a fairer, more resilient economy”.
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Kangaloo, in her message, highlighted the growth of artificial intelligence. She said, “On the one hand, AI has the potential to boost productivity, improve workplace safety, reduce human error and create entirely new sectors of employment. However, the president says, “on the other hand, the real and valid concerns that AI presents, including fears of job displacement and growing concerns around ethics and data privacy, have also to be acknowledged and proactively addressed. “
Both the President and the Prime Minister called for collaboration to advance the productive success of this country.