Labour Day, as a special commemorative occasion in Jamaica, has its genesis in the 1930s agitation for trade union representation, especially by workers in the sugar industry, for better pay and working conditions.

By the the late 1950s and 1960s, representatives from the trade union movement would lead marches in different parts of the island to celebrate improvements won on behalf of the employees by the trade union movement. Given the alignment of unions to the island's political parties, the day was sometimes marked by clashes and heightened tension as rival groups crossed paths.

By the time Michael Manley came to power in the 1970s, however, the interest and participation in such marches had begun to wane, and he decided to reinstitute the commemorations with an emphasis on putting voluntary work into Labour Day.

This has continued to be the focus since then with a slight dip in participation across the island over the past few years.

This year, the old rivalries have resurfaced with the People's National Party (PNP) accusing the incumbent Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of politicising the commemorations. On the face of it, the accusation by the PNP is not without merit, for we do find it an odd coincidence that the three projects initially identified for national focus fall within constituencies where the JLP's representatives are under a cloud of suspicion of holding dual-citizenship status. On the basis of the Vaz vs Dabdoub court ruling, they may then be required to step down as members of parliament and face by-elections. So the PNP sees a blatant attempt to curry favour with potential voters.

public slap down

And, in an unusual public slap down of his Minister of Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange who has portfolio responsibility, Prime Minister Golding has conceded that the selections do carry the appearance of political bias, even though he added that money was available for all members of parliament to carry out projects. So, did Minister Grange act without consulting her colleagues in selecting the national projects?

The fact is, this public quarrel is but the latest example of Jamaican politicians fighting over spoils as they seek to create a favourable impression in the minds of the public.

For while the PNP disingenuously cries foul today, it was not always minded when in office to manage public projects with the fairness or equanimity it now demands of its opponents.

Still, its long history is no reason to perpetuate this type of partisanship. We suggest that for future projects a broad-based committee be appointed, preferably with few if any active politicians, to evaluate and select the sites that should be the focus of national Labour Day activities.

Better still, the Government should use its public information arm to encourage the wider citizenry to re-engage with the concept of voluntary work for the benefit of those institutions and agencies that need help most.

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