Sir Alexander Bustamante Hailed As Champion Of Jamaica’s Working Class

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has hailed National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, as a champion of Jamaica’s working class.

Mr. Terrelonge was delivering the main address during a tribute ceremony marking the 141st anniversary of Sir Alexander’s birth in Blenheim, Hanover, on February 24.

“Sir Alexander was not just a political leader. He was a fearless advocate for social justice, a champion of the working class and a beacon of hope for the oppressed. Born on February 24, 1884, this son of Hannover would rise to become one of the most transformative figures in Jamaica’s history. His courage, vision and indomitable will laid the foundation for the democratic society that we now enjoy,” he pointed out.

Mr. Terrelonge noted that, from his early years, Sir Alexander, who was Jamaica’s first Prime Minister, displayed an unwavering concern for the struggles of ordinary citizens.

“Whether as a businessman or a labour leader, he used his position of influence to highlight the plight of workers, advocating tirelessly for fair wages, better working conditions and improved social protection. His leadership during the turbulent 1930s, a period marked by widespread labour unrest, cemented his place as the voice of the people,” the State Minister underscored.

Mr. Terrelonge maintained that as persons reflect on the National Hero’s remarkable contributions, they must not forget that Sir Alexander’s vision for Jamaica’s working class extended beyond bureaucracy.

“He was a nation builder, a statesman and a man who believed in the power of governance to uplift lives. In 1943, he founded the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), an institution that has become instrumental in shaping Jamaica’s political and social landscape. Under the leadership of Sir Alexander, Jamaica took decisive steps towards self-governance, culminating in our independence from Britain in 1962,” the State Minister said.

“As Jamaica’s first Prime Minister, he dedicated himself to national development, strengthening our institutions and fostering a spirit of unity among Jamaicans from all walks of life. His contributions, however, were not without great personal sacrifice. Sir Alexander was imprisoned in 1940 for his activism, spending over a year in detention; but even behind bars, his influence never waned,” Mr. Terrelonge emphasised.

He added that Sir Alexander’s name became synonymous with resilience, strength and an unyielding commitment to the people of Jamaica.

For his part, Executive Director, Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), Leslie Harrow, noted that Sir Alexander’s fearless advocacy for better wages, fair treatment and improved conditions for labourers transformed the island’s sociopolitical landscape.

“His leadership was not just about words, it was about action. Through his efforts, he helped lay the foundation for the rights and freedom we now enjoy in Jamaica. His passion for the people led to the formation of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) in 1938,” Mr. Harrow stated.

In his remarks, BITU Assistant General Secretary, Collin Virgo, who informed that the organisation is the oldest general workers’ union in the English-speaking Caribbean, underscored the importance of employees being unionised.

He also assured that employers have no need to be fearful of having workers who are unionised.

“Sir Alexander Bustamante laid down a rule. You walk into the BITU’s boardroom right now and you will see it on the wall – ‘Labour and Capital Must Co-exist; None to the Detriment of the Other’ ,” Mr. Virgo stated.

Sir Alexander held the distinction of being the only Jamaican conferred with the Order of National Hero while alive.