The Barbados Cadet Corps band leading the May Day parade.
Minister of Labour Senator Dr Esther Byer Suckoo (left) and General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) Toni Moore preparing to lay their wreaths at the Sir Frank Walcott Statue.
HUNDREDS, dressed in vibrant colours, particularly orange and green, attended yesterday’s Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) 2018 May Day parade.
Members of the working population, and school-aged children, some holding placards in hand, braved the heat of a bright and sunny day, to show their support.
This year, the Barbados Football Association, National Council of Parent Teachers Association, and other youth groups joined the BWU contingent on the road.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour, Barbados Water Authority (BWA), Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Central Bank of Barbados, Barbados Light & Power (BL&P), Barbados National Oil Company (BNOC), Oran Group of Companies, and Barbados Port Inc., also joined in on the celebrations.
The sweet sounds of the Barbados Cadet Corps band, accompanied by trainees of the Barbados Youth Service, led the parade.
The uniformed groups marched to the beat of the drums, while the other groups chipped, and even danced, to the music being played on trucks.
Minister of Labour Senator Dr Esther Byer Suckoo, BWU General Secretary Toni Moore, BWU President General Linda Brooks, and BWU former General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman, Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) President Mary Redman, and President of the National Union of Public Workers Akanni McDowall, were among the first to participate in the traditional wreath laying at the Sir Frank Walcott statue, Culloden Road, St Michael.
Prior to the parade, the usual opening ceremony was held, including prayers and a moment of silence led by Archdeacon Eric Lynch.
Reverend Joseph King, Rector of St Cyprian Anglican Church, encouraged those gathered to thank God for the gift of labour, for daily strength and the skills and abilities which enable them to share in his work of creation, and in giving effect to his purpose, and towards a justly order society.
“At the same time, let us pray to him to enable us to be good stewards of all that we have received,” he said.
The Rector also urged the workers to not only remember the significant contributions made to the development of Barbados’ workforce by outstanding men and women, including Sir Frank, but also to be conscious of the difficulties of the present time, and of the need to labour more.
This year, the May Day celebrations focussed primarily on the tourism sector and the youth who joined in to promote the march against violence, and to call for peace and harmony. (AH)