The 2025 Labour Day March celebrations were held at Union Square with speeches from the Premier and union representatives
Unions march on Court Street in Hamilton to mark Labour Day 2025 celebrations. Photo: Jasmine Patterson
Representatives from the island’s eight unions marched through the City of Hamilton to mark the 2025 Labour Day celebrations on Monday.
Severe rainfall delayed the beginning of the procession before the march got underway at around 11.30 this morning from Union Square.
Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward gave remarks touching upon this year’s theme, ‘Labour is the Link’ and noted that the new minimum wage will increase to $17.13 per hour effective Monday, 1 September.
He said, “Now – some say that’s not good enough, others are calling it too much, but what they can’t disagree with is that it’s a fundamental step in the right direction.
“What they can’t disagree with is the continued progress that this government makes on behalf of the people of Bermuda.”
The Bermuda Public Services Union, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Entertainment Union, the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Progressive Labour Party, the One Bermuda Alliance and others were present at Monday’s gathering.
Highlighting new wage increases for public sector workers and hospital staff, Premier and PLP party leader David Burt said in a statement, “These are not just policies on paper; they are real changes improving the lives of Bermudians today. Changes born from collaboration between the PLP Government and our trade unions.
“Yet there is still work to do: work to ensure families can live with dignity, work to protect our seniors, and work to open doors of opportunity for our young people.”
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson who will step down from the post this month said, ” The question before us is not whether labour has power. The question is — what will labour do with that power?
“Because we all know the workplace still has its imperfections: treatment of individuals, unsafe conditions, pensions not paid, outdated agreements. There is no such thing as a perfect job, a perfect employer, or a perfect workplace. That is why there will always be a role for unions. But beyond those shop-floor battles, Bermuda is calling for something more.”
Food vendors were absent from today’s event in light of safety concerns due to the early morning down pour.
