National Workers' Week opens with Labour Day thanksgiving service in Montego Bay

Jamaica opened National Workers' Week 2026 on Sunday, May 17, with a national thanksgiving church service at St. John's Methodist Church in Montego Bay, St. James. The gathering marked the start of observances leading to National Labour Day on Monday, May 25, under the theme "One people, one purpose. In all things, Jamaica wins."

Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin, Custos of St. James, delivered greetings on behalf of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who was unable to attend. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security, represented Prime Minister Andrew Holness in his capacity as acting prime minister. Opposition spokesperson Nikisha Burchell represented Opposition Leader Mark Golding. Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Pernell Charles Jr., Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Hon. Olivia Grange, and Minister of Finance and the Public Service Hon. Fayval Williams also took part, along with Senator Charles Sinclair, Deputy Speaker Heroy Clark, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon, trade union representatives, diplomats and clergy.

Reverend Pauline D'Acosta, superintendent minister of the Montego Bay Mount Ward Methodist Circuit, hosted the service. Reverend Trevor Hedley of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance led opening prayer, reflecting on recovery after Hurricane Melissa and thanking workers who served neighbours despite personal loss. Guest preacher Bishop Dr. Roy Notice urged the nation to pair authentic worship with disciplined, dignified conduct in public life, while saluting gains such as reduced major crime and tourism's recovery after the storm.

Minister Charles thanked workers across sectors—from health and education to farming, transport and public service—and recalled the 1938 labour uprising that helped shape modern workers' rights. He urged Jamaicans to volunteer on Labour Day, invest in young people, and support neighbours. Heroy Clark, MP for St. James Central, called on citizens to keep labouring beyond a single holiday so Jamaica may grow more resilient.

Minister Grange said Workers' Week and Labour Day this year carry special weight after Melissa's devastation. She cited Nehemiah's call to "rise up and build," outlined national projects at Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution in St. Elizabeth and at Sabina Park to restore facilities for cricket and community use, and encouraged parishes to register local projects. Labour Day falls on May 25 because the statutory date, May 23, falls on a Saturday. Floral tributes honouring National Hero Samuel Sharpe will be held on May 23 in Montego Bay and Kingston. A Labour Day praise concert is set for Emancipation Park at 7:00 p.m.

Grange and Williams noted that Workers' Week programming, Labour Day activities and mobilization are coordinated across ministries, including Minister Desmond McKenzie, who was not present. Grange, Chang, Sinclair, Burchell and others presented a plaque to St. John's Methodist Church for hosting the service; Mayor Vernon presented a municipal love gift and invited residents to a St. James Corporation project at Rose Heights Community Centre from 8:00 a.m. on Labour Day.