02/05/2026
LABOUR COMMISSIONER’S LABOUR DAY ADDRESS 2026
By
JO-ANNE A HODGE
Today we pause from the daily rhythm of work to thank every worker past or present who helped to build this country of Anguilla and to wish everyone a Happy Labour Day.
We affirm with conviction that the hard-working men and women who daily give their time and talent to the economic progress of this country are deserving of honour, fairness, dignity and respect.
This therefore requires a call to action. It is why the chosen theme for Labour Day 2026 is “Working Together for Rights, Protection and Progress”.
Although we have come a long way in safeguarding workers’ rights, there’s much work to be done. Many of Anguilla’s workers still do not fully know what they are entitled to, and some employers still act as though those rights are optional.
Every worker has the right to safe and secure working conditions. A safe secure workplace is a legal and moral obligation on every employer. Whether you work in construction, hospitality, finance, retail, or any other sector, you are entitled to job security in a protective environment that does not endanger your life or your health. That is why the Labour Department will continue to inspect and call to task those who fall short of these standards.
Each worker has the right to be heard and to have their concerns taken seriously. No worker should ever be made to feel that speaking up is a risk with potential to generate retaliation. The Labour Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs is working to strengthen the channels through which workers can raise grievances, and we are committed to ensuring those channels are accessible and effective.
Every worker has the right to fairness in disciplinary action. We similarly acknowledge that employers have the authority to maintain standards and address misconduct. But such authority must be exercised with due process. Staff should not be dismissed, suspended, or penalised without explanation, without being given a genuine opportunity to respond, and without the matter being handled in a just and transparent manner. Disciplinary action taken without proper procedure is an abuse of power. And it will not be tolerated.
Every worker has the right to receive fair and timely wages that reflect the value of their contribution. You should be able to meet your basic needs, to house and feed your family, and to live with some measure of comfort and stability. This means reasonable pay that keeps pace with the cost of living. Employers must ensure that their staff receive adequate compensation that is aligned with their roles and responsibilities.
Those who work beyond their contracted hours must be fairly compensated with overtime when it is honestly earned and approved according to workplace policy. Wage theft and unpaid overtime remain among the most common complaints received by the Labour Department. We treat these matters seriously, and workers who believe they are being shortchanged have every right to seek redress.
Every worker has the right to a life outside the job. It means employers appreciating the need for work-life balance and promoting it. It means a workplace that both recognises and values your humanity, and not just your productivity.
For workers’ rights to function effectively, they must be protected. Protection requires robust laws, strong contracts, and a culture of compliance that runs through every level of our economy.
The Labour Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to lobby for a strengthened legislative framework to govern employment in Anguilla. We recognise that our laws need to be clear, current, and enforceable. Workers need to know what the law says. Employers need to know what is required of them. And the Labour Department and Tribunal need to be empowered to act when those requirements are not met.
Protection also means preparing workers both for the unexpected and for life beyond their working years. Retirement savings schemes, pension plans, unemployment and health insurance – these protective measures safeguard workers during periods of uncertainty and change.
Employers must be intentional in rewarding loyal service with benefits including pension plans and healthcare coverage where this is financially feasible. Employees must be prepared to contribute to workplace retirement schemes for these to work. The Government must commit to partnering with all employers in building and strengthening the systems that provide workers with safety nets – such as national contributory pension schemes and unemployment benefits that offer a bridge in times of work transition. In a progressive society these are baseline expectations.
A protected labour-force is the foundation to building a stronger economy. We therefore call on employers to recognise that the benefits they offer their workers are investments that return in the form of dedication and loyalty, reduced turnover, higher morale, and stronger productivity. A workforce that feels secure performs better. And that is very good for business.
So what does progress look like? For the individual worker, progress means human dignity captured in policy and practice. It means the ability to enjoy life outside the workplace. It means working in an environment where your voice carries weight and your rights are preserved. It means investment in a pension that provides for later years. It means that should you have the misfortune to lose your job, there is a system to temporarily support your basic needs while you get back on your feet.
But progress can only be achieved when Government, employers and workers unite in a common goal to raise the standard of living of every Anguillian. When we all take responsibility only then will we see collective progress.
Government: you have a duty to implement and enforce laws that promote a safe and protective environment for all workers.
Employers: we are asking you to go beyond the minimum wage and invest in your people. Create pathways for growth. Treat your workers as partners in your success, because that is exactly what they are.
Workers: know your rights and exercise them when necessary. Engage positively with your colleagues at all levels. Report but do not instigate violations. Protecting your own rights is protecting the rights of every worker who comes after you.
A special word to the youth, Anguilla’s future and the beneficiaries of economic progress. You are the next generation, and we are building this environment for you. The policies we strengthen today, the protections we enshrine in law, the culture of fairness we insist upon – all are for your benefit. We ask that you not only claim these benefits, but build on them, for the development and resilience of future generations.
An Anguilla where workers are protected, fairly paid, and genuinely valued is an Anguilla that attracts investment, retains talent, and grows with stability. When workers prosper, families prosper. When families prosper, communities prosper. And when our communities prosper, Anguilla fulfills its true potential.
So in closing, on this Labour Day, let us honour those who came before us, who fought and sacrificed so that we can enjoy the modern advantages we claim today. Let us renew our own resolve to work together in the interest of every worker.
The path forward might not be easy, but if we walk it together with commitment and determination, we will build a better workplace for a brighter future.
Thank you and a Happy Labour Day to all!
