Montego Bay church service opens National Workers' Week 2026 ahead of Labour Day

ST. JAMES — Jamaica's National Workers' Week 2026 opened on Sunday, 17 May, with a thanksgiving church service at St. John's Methodist Church in Montego Bay, under the theme "One people, one purpose. In all things, Jamaica wins."

Rev. Pauline Dosta, superintendent minister of the Montego Bay Mount Ward Methodist Circuit, welcomed a large gathering that included Custos of St. James Hon. Conrad Pitkin, representing Governor General Sir Patrick Allen; Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security, representing Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Opposition spokesperson Nikisha Burchell, representing Opposition Leader Mark Golding; Ministers Olivia Grange (Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport), Fayval Williams (Finance), and Pearnel Charles Jr. (Labour and Social Security); Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon; and guest preacher Bishop Dr. Roy Notice.

Rev. Trevor Hedley of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance led opening prayer, giving thanks for workers who aided neighbours after Hurricane Melissa despite their own losses. MP and Deputy Speaker Heroy Clark urged Jamaicans to keep labouring beyond Labour Day so the country grows more resilient.

Minister Charles told the congregation that gratitude must lead to action. He recalled the 1938 labour uprising and called on Jamaicans to volunteer on Labour Day, invest in at least one young person, encourage a worker, and check on a neighbour. Minister Grange said Workers' Week culminates with National Labour Day on Monday, 25 May, because the statutory date, 23 May, falls on a Saturday. She cited Nehemiah's call to "rise up and build" as the frame for post-Melissa recovery, and outlined national projects at Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution in St. Elizabeth and at Sabina Park to restore facilities ahead of international cricket, including the West Indies series against Sri Lanka and the return of the CPL. Municipal corporations will lead parish projects; the public may register through the Jamaica Information Service. Floral tributes to National Hero Samuel Sharpe will take place on 23 May in Montego Bay and Kingston. A free Labour Day praise concert is set for Emancipation Park at 7:00 p.m., to be carried on PBCJ and social media.

Reading the Governor General's message, Custos Pitkin said the observance honours daily labour as the heartbeat of national purpose and saluted responders, utility crews, health workers, and volunteers who stood together after the storm.

Bishop Notice, drawing on Psalm 33:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1, urged authentic worship, moral discipline, dignity in public life, and fair treatment of workers and customers. Minister Grange and Dr. Chang presented a plaque to St. John's Methodist Church for hosting the service; Mayor Vernon presented a municipal "love gift" and invited residents to the corporation's Labour Day project at Rose Heights Community Centre from 8:00 a.m.