Prime Minister Simpson Miller Pays Tribute to Trade Unionist Hopeton Caven

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has described trade unionist and former Senator, Hopeton Caven as a pioneer in the representation of workers and a distinguished son of Jamaica whose strong belief in his country propelled him to a life of public service.
“The Trade Union Congress provided the vehicle through which Hopeton Caven gave a lifetime of dedicated service to the cause of the Jamaican workers first as a volunteer since 1949, an organiser since the 1950s and later as its General Secretary. His trade union activism also included tremendous service a founding member, director and trustee of the Joint Trade Union Research and Development Centre,” Prime Minister Simpson Miller said in a statement.
The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the national service provided by Mr. Caven as a Member of the Senate from 1972 to 1980, a former board member of the National Housing Trust and a former worker representative on the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller added that: “Hopeton Caven was a nationalist who had great confidence in the ability of the Jamaican people to chart a successful path of political self-determination and economic independence and he used his position as the Jamaican representative of the Jamaica Progressive League in the 1970s to advance the interests of Jamaican workers and families. He was always concerned about the poor and most vulnerable among us. Hopeton Caven was also my mentor, advisor and friend who helped to guide my early political career.”
Mrs Simpson Miller has expressed condolences to the family of Mr. Caven.