Report on the State of Barbadian Labour Institutions and Historical Commemoration

Introduction: Commemoration and Sustainable Development Goals

On the Day of National Significance, a commemoration was held at the grave of Israel Lovell, a key figure in the 1937 rebellions. Speakers at the event, organized by the Israel Lovell Foundation, assessed the legacy of early freedom fighters in the context of contemporary social and economic challenges, with significant implications for the nation’s progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Critique of Contemporary Labour Representation and SDG 8

Pan Africanist David Denny, General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, presented a critical evaluation of the current state of trade unionism in Barbados. His assessment highlights a significant gap in achieving SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, particularly its target to protect labour rights and promote secure working environments.

• Mr. Denny asserted that modern trade unions, which emerged from the 1937 struggles, have become weak.
• He contended that their leadership no longer effectively represents the interests of the Barbadian working class.
• This perceived ineffectiveness undermines the institutional framework required to ensure decent work and fair labour practices for all citizens.
• Solidarity was expressed with protesting Sanitation Service Authority workers, cited as a contemporary example of ongoing labour struggles.

Institutional Justice and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 16 & SDG 10)

The event underscored the importance of historical justice and strengthening national institutions, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Efforts to formally recognize historical figures are seen as a corrective measure against past injustices and a method for building a more inclusive national identity.

1. Call for National Hero Status: A continued advocacy campaign was noted for Israel Lovell to be officially named a National Hero of Barbados, recognizing his foundational contribution to social and political organization.
2. Historical Re-evaluation: Member of Parliament Trevor Prescod, Special Envoy on Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement, spoke of in-depth research into historical figures who were criminalized during the colonial era. Rectifying their legacies is a direct action towards reducing historical and systemic inequalities.
3. New Commemorative Awards: It was announced that new awards would be presented on Emancipation Day to honour the contributions of outstanding Barbadians. These include:
   • The Israel Lovell Special Award
   • An award in honour of James A. Tudor
   • An award in honour of Adrianna Gibbs

Education for Global Citizenship and Cultural Heritage (SDG 4)

The contributions of Israel Lovell were framed as a vital component of public education and political consciousness, contributing to the principles of SDG 4: Quality Education. The historical narrative is positioned as a tool for lifelong learning and fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage and struggles for justice.

• Lovell’s work as a lieutenant of Clement Payne involved holding political meetings to educate the masses, a form of civic education essential for sustainable development.
• Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina of the Universal Negro Improvement Association described the importance of remembering such ancestral icons “in all the annals of history in all realms of education,” reinforcing the need for an inclusive and accurate curriculum.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. This is central to the article’s main theme, which critiques the current weakness of trade unions in Barbados. David Denny’s statement that unions “seem not to be representing the workers in Barbados” and “no longer have any teeth to fight on behalf of the working-class people” directly addresses the failure to protect labour rights. The historical context provided, noting that unions emerged from the 1937 rebellions, underscores the importance of these institutions in securing workers’ rights.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race, colour, ethnicity, or other status. The article highlights efforts to achieve this by recognizing historical figures like Israel Lovell, who fought against the colonial system. Lovell’s work to “create political consciousness that helped to educate the masses” is a clear example of empowering people for political inclusion. Furthermore, the mention of a “Special Envoy in the Prime Minister’s Office on Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement” points directly to official efforts to address historical economic inequalities.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory policies and practices. The article discusses how “the colonial period criminalised these people,” referring to early freedom fighters. The current movement to recognize them as National Heroes is an action aimed at reversing historical injustices and reducing inequalities of outcome and recognition.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The core criticism of the trade union movement as “very weak” and not representing workers’ interests points to a lack of responsive and representative institutions. The article implies that these unions, which are supposed to be participatory bodies for the working class, are failing in their mandate.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. The article celebrates Israel Lovell for holding “a series of political meetings to create political consciousness that helped to educate the masses in Barbados about what was taking place in the world.” This action is a direct embodiment of protecting the fundamental freedom of assembly and ensuring public access to information, which are crucial for a just society.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 8, Target 8.8:

   • Implied Indicator: The perceived effectiveness and strength of trade unions. The article provides a qualitative assessment through David Denny’s statement that the movement is “very weak” and “no longer has any teeth.” Progress could be measured by tracking the frequency and success of collective bargaining, the ability of unions to advocate for workers (such as the protesting Sanitation Service Authority workers), and public perception of their effectiveness.

2. For SDG 10, Targets 10.2 & 10.3:

   • Indicator: The formal recognition of historical figures from marginalized groups. The article explicitly mentions the call for Israel Lovell to be made a “National Hero” and the creation of an “Israel Lovell special award.” These are concrete, measurable actions that serve as indicators of progress in promoting social inclusion and correcting historical inequalities.
   • Indicator: The establishment of government bodies to address historical injustices. The mention of a “Special Envoy in the Prime Minister’s Office on Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement” is a specific institutional indicator of government action towards reducing inequality.

3. For SDG 16, Targets 16.7 & 16.10:

   • Implied Indicator: The level of representation within key social institutions. The claim that the trade union leadership “seem not to be representing the workers” is an implied indicator of a lack of representative decision-making. Progress could be measured through surveys on workers’ trust and satisfaction with their union representation.
   • Indicator: Commemoration of events related to the exercise of fundamental freedoms. The annual visit to Lovell’s grave to commemorate his contribution to political education and consciousness-raising serves as an indicator of the value placed on protecting fundamental freedoms and ensuring public access to information.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nationnews.com