BASSETERRE – Thousands participated through the streets of Basseterre on Monday, commemorating Labour Day and the long struggle for workers’ rights in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The annual Labour Day March, which began at the Patsy Allers Playing Field, saw members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party and government officials as it wound through the city of Basseterre. The event highlighted the Federation’s labor history and the contributions of working people to national development.
Labour Day has been observed in St. Kitts and Nevis since 1955, following decades of organized advocacy that improved wages, working conditions and representation. The observance remains closely tied to the Buckley’s uprising of January 1935, when sugar workers protested harsh conditions in what is regarded as a pivotal moment in the country’s history. Nine people were seriously injured during the protests, while three men lost their lives.
The period after the uprising saw the strengthening of the trade union movement, including the formation of the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union and the Workers League, which later became the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party. Leaders such as the late Sir Robert Bradshaw and Sir Joseph Nathaniel France played key roles in advancing workers’ rights.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew announced that the Buckley’s uprising and its martyrs will be honored with a new national holiday, to be observed annually starting January 27, 2027.
Officials said Monday’s march continues to serve as an important recognition of workers’ contributions and the labour movement’s role in shaping the Federation. The event reflected on past struggles while celebrating progress made over the decades.