In the Caribbean post-slavery environment, Labour was the first formally organised mass movement. It was the foundation, and platform, used by Caribbean people to agitate for
•improved wages/salary
•better living conditions
•equal rights and justice
•universal adult suffrage
•independence
•other social, economic and political advancements
Some Labour achievements
•A right to a pension
•Eliminate discrimination in the workplace
•Equal opportunities for persons with disabilities
•Equal pay for men and women doing same work
•Fairness in promotions
•Give workers a voice at the workplace
•Grievance procedure for wrongful discharge and discipline
•Landlord and Tenant Act
•National Heroes - Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow ( Guyana ), Grantley Adams
( Barbados )
•National minimum wage
•National observances - Labour Day
•Occupational Health and Safety Law
•Outlawing of child labour
•Outlawing of forced labour
•Overtime pay
•Paid sick leave
•Paid vacation
•Protection of employees right to associate, organise, join unions, bargain collectively and strike
•Respect for workers' rights at the workplace
•Social Security
•The 40-hour work week
•The 8-hour work day
•Universal adult suffrage
•Women's Rights
•Workers compensation
More to be done
The Caribbean Congress of Labour is driven by core values as established in the International Labour Organisation.
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/lang--en/index.htm
While we continue the struggles to safeguard our gains, we also have to fight to ensure the realisation of the goals of other entities, taking into consideration the ILO Decent Work Agenda in the context of sustainable development.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/decent.htm
Our commitment
We believe that decent employment, job stability, improved quality of life, increased levels of equality, upward social mobility and an adequate social safety net are important needs to our people. Our commitment to the wellbeing of workers is unwavering and in the process we will only form alliances with those whose interests intersect with ours.
Accordingly, we continue to sit and demand a place at the table with governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the interests of workers are properly articulated and represented in laws and policies.
In "Respositioning for Continued Success" the CCL has committed itself to a Platform that will continue the fight for justice and fair play.
We are committed to ensuring Caribbean workers get their fair share in the global marketplace. That their social and economic developments are universal; income and benefits are adequate; families benefit; and that they retire in dignity.
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