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Focus on Monuments for Labour Day

By: , May 22, 2017

The Key Point:

The Government will be carrying out restoration work on several national monuments, as part of activities for Labour Day, which will be observed on May 23.
Focus on Monuments for Labour Day
Photo: Garwin Davis
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahinie Robinson. (FILE)

The Facts

  • These include the Workers Monument in downtown Kingston, the Workers Park in Frome, Westmoreland, the Workers Memorial in Highgate, St. Mary and the Tacky monument in Port Maria.
  • Workers’ Week and Labour Day 2017 are being observed under the theme ‘Restore, Preserve, Beautify’.

The Full Story

The Government will be carrying out restoration work on several national monuments, as part of activities for Labour Day, which will be observed on May 23.

These include the Workers Monument in downtown Kingston, the Workers Park in Frome, Westmoreland, the Workers Memorial in Islington, St. Mary and the Tacky monument in Port Maria.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, made the announcement during the National Workers’ Week and Labour Day Thanksgiving Church Service held yesterday (May 21) at the Portmore New Testament Church of God, St. Catherine.

Workers’ Week 2017 is being observed from May 15 to 23 and pays tribute to Jamaican workers and the important role they play in socio-economic development.

Several national, civic and community leaders attended the service, including Prime Minister the Most Hon Andrew Holness, who read the scripture lesson.

Significantly, Mrs. Robinson noted that the restoration of the Workers Monument is being done to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 1938 riots at the Kingston Wharves in May 2018.

“The Ministry will be engaging the Jamaica 55 Secretariat in meaningful dialogue to ensure the completion of this monument. Our national monuments and memorials have an important place within or culture (and) can even bring vibrant economic returns as heritage tourism can generate investment and contribute to growth and prosperity,” she pointed out.

The Labour Minister said the restoration of these monuments serve a dual purpose, as it reflects national pride in the historical and cultural identity of the nation and adds to the beautification of the environment.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange,said the Ministry will be assisting in the restoration of the Ward Theatre on Labour Day.

“It is very important that we give it special significance, as Kingston celebrates its 145th anniversary as a city. We will work closely with the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation to see the start-up of restoration work at the Ward Theatre, which is a Jamaica 55 Legacy Project,” the Culture Minister noted.

Focus will also be placed on the Central Police Station, as well as 18 other stations across the island.

Stressing the importance of volunteerism for national development, the Minister urged all public and private sector entities to support a community project, and to assist in the clean-up and rebuilding efforts from the recent floods.

Workers’ Week and Labour Day 2017 are being observed under the theme ‘Restore, Preserve, Beautify’.

Last Updated: May 30, 2017

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