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  • Minister Landveld: Oplossing luchtverkeersleiding in zicht, overleg over looncorrectie gestart

    Minister Landveld: Oplossing luchtverkeersleiding in zicht, overleg over looncorrectie gestart

    Fresh tensions between air traffic controllers and national aviation authorities have taken center stage in Suriname’s parliament, with Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT) Minister Raymond Landveld delivering a comprehensive address to the National Assembly detailing the root causes of the unrest, progress made to resolve outstanding grievances, and long-term structural reforms planned for the aviation sector.

    According to Landveld, the core of the current conflict stems from long-running disputes over pay scales, working conditions and systemic bottlenecks that have plagued the Suriname Civil Aviation Service for decades. Air traffic controllers argue their compensation is disproportionate to the extreme responsibilities they hold and the rigorous international standards their role demands, especially when compared to other technical departments within the organization. Controllers have highlighted that their position requires mandatory recurring professional training, regular mandatory medical certifications, and carries direct, high-stakes accountability for the safety of thousands of passengers and all national air traffic – burdens they say are not reflected in their current pay.

    Minister Landveld confirmed that several immediate demands from air traffic controllers have already been addressed. Backlogged overtime pay, totaling more than 1 million Surinamese dollars (SRD), has been fully disbursed to affected staff. Funding has also been secured to cover the cost of mandatory medical examinations required for controllers to maintain their operating licenses. Looking to address gaps in workforce development, the ministry is also drafting new regulatory provisions to double the monthly stipend for air traffic control trainees, raising it from the current SRD 5,000 to SRD 10,000 to attract new talent to the field.

    Initial negotiations saw controllers submit a demand for a 100 percent base pay increase, but Landveld noted that this position has been refined in recent talks. The trade union representing controllers now prioritizes correcting inequitable pay structures across the aviation service rather than enforcing a blanket doubling of wages. In response, the Surinamese government has opened a formal negotiation window bringing together the ministry, the union, and the national negotiating body to work toward a mutually acceptable agreement. Initial follow-up talks are scheduled for May 6, with stakeholders expected to outline feasible adjustments to pay and working conditions within a 2-3 week timeline.

    To resolve deep-seated systemic issues, Landveld announced that the government is evaluating a full corporatization of the Suriname Civil Aviation Service. Restructuring the agency into an independent statutory body would allow for collective bargaining agreements to set working conditions across all aviation roles, not just for air traffic controllers, creating a fairer, more transparent framework for employment negotiations. The minister emphasized that many of the current challenges are the result of 50+ years of delayed policy reform in the sector, adding the current administration is prioritizing sustainable, long-term solutions including expanded training for new personnel, operational collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, and targeted capacity building support from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    In parallel to labor reforms, the government is advancing infrastructure upgrades to improve aviation safety and capacity at Suriname’s primary gateway, Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport. In partnership with national telecom provider Telesur, a new communications mast has already been installed to support air traffic management operations. The national SURSAFE aviation safety improvement project is also ongoing, with a mandate to upgrade security protocols and modernize core infrastructure across the sector.

    Landveld acknowledged that the recent industrial action by air traffic controllers caused widespread disruption to travel and economic activity across the country, stressing that preventing future disruptions is a top government priority. Going forward, he said, the government will implement mandatory early consultation processes to address emerging grievances before they escalate into industrial action, ensuring that travelers and the Surinamese public are not caught off guard by future service disruptions.

  • Queenela Williams Crowned 2026 Labour Queen

    Queenela Williams Crowned 2026 Labour Queen

    In a dazzling ceremony that brought together hundreds of industry professionals, community leaders, and pageant fans, Queenela Williams has officially been named the 2026 Labour Queen, capping off months of rigorous competition that tested both skill and social commitment. The annual Labour Queen pageant, now in its 18th year, celebrates women who combine professional excellence in skilled labour sectors with active community service, a mission that has grown increasingly important as industries around the country work to close gender gaps in trades and blue-collar professions. Williams, a 27-year-old electrician with a decade of experience in sustainable construction, beat out 22 other contestants from across the nation to claim the title. Her winning platform focused on expanding youth apprenticeship programs for girls interested in entering the trades, an initiative she has already helped bring to three local high schools over the past two years. During the final competition round, Williams delivered a moving address highlighting the economic empowerment and personal fulfillment that comes with skilled labour careers, pushing back against long-held stereotypes that frame trade work as unsuitable for women. “This crown isn’t just for me—it’s for every young girl who’s ever been told she can’t pick up a wrench, wire a building, or build her own future with her own two hands,” Williams said in her acceptance speech, as the crowd gave her a standing ovation that lasted more than three minutes. Outgoing 2025 Labour Queen Maria Gonzalez placed the traditional woven crown on Williams’ head during the coronation segment, which was followed by a reception that raised more than $75,000 for trade scholarship programs for women. Pageant organizers noted that this year’s competition drew a record number of applicants, reflecting a growing national shift toward recognizing the critical contributions of women in the labour force. Over the coming year, Williams will travel across the country to speak at schools, industry conferences, and community events, advocating for greater inclusion and equal opportunity in skilled labour sectors. She will also use her platform to push for policy changes that expand access to affordable apprenticeship training and eliminate gender-based pay disparities in the trades. Industry leaders have already praised Williams’ victory, saying it will help inspire a new generation of women to pursue careers in sectors that have historically been male-dominated. “Queenela’s win sends a powerful message that talent and passion don’t have a gender,” said James Carter, president of the National Trade Association, one of the event’s primary sponsors. “We’re excited to work with her over the next year to open more doors for women across all our industries.”

  • Noordoost Brazilië: Doden en duizende ontheemden door zware regenval

    Noordoost Brazilië: Doden en duizende ontheemden door zware regenval

    Northeastern Brazil is grappling with the aftermath of another devastating episode of extreme rainfall that has left at least six people dead and displaced thousands of residents across two hard-hit states, local authorities confirmed Saturday. After two consecutive days of nonstop downpours, Pernambuco and Paraíba have borne the brunt of the disaster, with widespread damage to infrastructure and communities.

    In Pernambuco, the state capital Recife and the neighboring coastal city of Olinda suffered the most severe destruction. Flooding and mudslides caused by the saturated ground claimed two lives in Recife, while an additional two fatalities were recorded in Olinda. Roughly 1,500 people across the state were forced to flee their homes to escape rising floodwaters and landslide risk.

    The impact was mirrored across the border in Paraíba, where the capital João Pessoa and major city Campina Grande also faced catastrophic conditions. Another two deaths were reported in the state, bringing the national toll to six, and a further 1,500 residents lost access to their homes, joining the growing population of displaced people.

    In response to the unfolding emergency, Brazil’s National Center for Risk Management and Disaster Management issued 22 urgent weather warnings and elevated its operational response level to the highest possible alert, based on the current scale of damage and incoming meteorological forecasts. Though rainfall intensity subsided across the region by Saturday, federal authorities have stressed that communities must maintain ongoing vigilance as floodwaters recede and the risk of landslides remains high.

    Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced via social media platform X that he has been in direct communication with local emergency management officials and has pledged full federal support to the affected regions. “The federal government will continue monitoring the situation closely to deliver all necessary assistance to those impacted,” Lula stated.

    This latest disaster aligns with a long-documented trend of increasing extreme weather events across Brazil, climate researchers emphasize. A 2025 study from the Brazilian Alliance for Ocean Culture found that rain-related disasters including floods and landslides have tripled in frequency across the country between 1991 and 2023. The pattern of repeated catastrophic weather events has become a deadly constant for Brazilian communities in recent years: in February 2026, at least 64 people were killed by floods and landslides in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. In 2024, catastrophic flooding in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul claimed a minimum of 183 lives. Before that, 2022 saw 233 people killed in floods in the southeastern city of Petrópolis, followed by another 130 fatalities from heavy rain in Recife just three months later.

  • DNA moet transparanter met openbare commissievergaderingen en openheid buitenlandse reizen

    DNA moet transparanter met openbare commissievergaderingen en openheid buitenlandse reizen

    Suriname’s National Assembly Speaker Ashwin Adhin has announced a series of ambitious reforms aimed at making parliamentary work more transparent, modern, and accessible to the general public, with a core priority of opening closed-door committee meetings to public scrutiny. In an exclusive interview with local outlet Starnieuws, Adhin outlined that he will personally push to open the vast majority of committee proceedings, which currently remain out of public view despite forming the backbone of all parliamentary work.

  • Inheemsen eisen grondenrechten en gerechtigheid tijdens protestmars

    Inheemsen eisen grondenrechten en gerechtigheid tijdens protestmars

    On May 3, 2026, a wave of unrest swept through central Paramaribo, Suriname, as hundreds of Indigenous demonstrators and their supporters took to the streets to demand long-overdue recognition of their territorial land rights, holding the Surinamese government accountable for years of broken promises and escalating environmental harm to their traditional territories.

    The demonstration kicked off early Saturday with a peaceful march through the city’s downtown core, organized by a coalition of Indigenous community leaders and environmental activists. Midway through the march, participants paused to honor the memory of Martinus Wolfjager and Ivanildo Dijksteel, two Indigenous men who were killed during violent 2023 protests in the village of Pikin Saron on May 2 that same year. According to family members and supporters of the two men, Wolfjager and Dijksteel were already in handcuffs when police officers shot them at close range. That 2023 unrest left multiple vehicles and buildings burned, and several people taken hostage amid long-simmering tensions over resource extraction on Indigenous lands.

    After concluding the march, the group headed first to Suriname’s National Assembly to deliver a formal petition outlining their core demands. Tensions flared at the assembly when demonstrators rejected statements offered by two sitting legislators, Ivanildo Plein from the National Party of Suriname (NPS) and Jennifer Vreedzaam from the National Democratic Party (NDP). In their petition, Indigenous leaders outlined that the Surinamese government continues to issue commercial resource extraction concessions within their traditional residential and hunting lands, resulting in widespread contamination of rivers and creeks that have left many communities without safe, drinkable water. The petition stressed that the cumulative pressure on Indigenous communities across the country has grown to an unsustainable, unbearable level.

    Protest organizers also drew direct attention to the government’s ongoing failure to implement binding international court rulings on Indigenous territorial rights. They added that Indigenous activists now face severe, decades-long prison sentences for their advocacy, creating a pattern of unequal justice that punishes marginalized communities for defending their homelands.

    Following the confrontation at the National Assembly, the protest group moved to the Cabinet of the President, where they delivered a second copy of their petition. Chief of Staff Sergio Akiemboto accepted the document on behalf of President Jennifer Simons. Speakers at the site, including prominent environmental activist Erlan Fleur, made clear that the era of empty negotiations is over, calling for immediate, concrete intervention from the national government to address the crisis.

    Demonstrators also stopped at Suriname’s Court of Justice, where they called for transparent, equal application of the law, pointing to what they describe as a clear pattern of double standards in the justice system’s handling of the 2023 Pikin Saron events. Five Indigenous men who were arrested in connection to the unrest originally received an 8-year prison sentence in their initial trial on charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, arson, hostage-taking, and weapons violations. On appeal, prosecutors have increased their requested sentence to 15 years, and the next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 26.

    In a parallel case, seven police officers are on trial for their alleged role in the deaths of Wolfjager and Dijksteel. A ruling in this case is expected as soon as May 5, 2026. Prosecutors have requested a 12-month suspended prison sentence with a three-year probation period for the officers on charges of aggravated assault leading to death, while calling for acquittal on the more serious charge of complicity in manslaughter. The discrepancy in sentencing requests between the Indigenous defendants and the accused officers has underscored protesters’ claims of unequal treatment under the law, amplifying calls for systemic change to protect Indigenous rights across Suriname.

  • Brandweerwet moet korps meer slagkracht en duidelijke bevoegdheden geven

    Brandweerwet moet korps meer slagkracht en duidelijke bevoegdheden geven

    A critical overhaul of Suriname’s decades-old Fire Service Act is advancing through the country’s National Assembly, with lawmakers aiming to transform the Suriname Fire Corps into a more modern, agile and well-governed emergency response force. Committee chair Dinotha Vorswijk, representing the ABOP party, opened the plenary debate by emphasizing that the nation’s current fire service regulatory framework has not kept pace with modern emergency response needs, calling for urgent clarification on core operational matters including official authority, enforcement protocols, penalty mechanisms and the formal role of district commissioners during fire response operations.

    Vorswijk delivered a detailed briefing to the assembly on the proposed amendment, outlining that its overarching objective is to boost both the efficiency and effectiveness of the Suriname Fire Corps. Outdated existing legislation has created operational ambiguities that hinder the corps’ ability to carry out its core public safety mandate, making regulatory modernization a necessity, she told lawmakers.

    Prior to bringing the bill to plenary debate, the parliamentary committee responsible for reviewing the legislation held consultations with a wide range of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice and Police, the Suriname Fire Corps itself, the national Legislation Bureau and the fire service union. These consultations surfaced a series of priority concerns that the amendment seeks to address, covering everything from the formal authority of district commissioners to oversight and enforcement protocols, false emergency calls, penalty structures and the working conditions of frontline fire personnel.

    A central point of debate in the proposed changes revolves around clarifying the role of district commissioners. The current draft amendment explicitly bars district commissioners from issuing technical directives to on-scene fire response teams, but the committee has called for formal codification of consequences for commissioners who fail to adhere to this restriction.

    Lawmakers also emphasized the need to refocus the fire corps’ resources exclusively on emergency missions. Vorswijk noted that the service is often pulled into non-emergency private requests that drain capacity, such as filling private swimming pools or pressure-washing private properties. Under the updated regulatory framework, the fire service will be mandated to prioritize life-threatening emergency situations and core public safety tasks, she explained.

    Additionally, Vorswijk pushed for clear statutory penalty powers for offenses that divert fire service resources, including false emergency calls and unauthorized open waste burning. Without formal enforcement penalties, she argued, the fire service effectively remains “a tiger without teeth” unable to address behaviors that put public safety at risk.

    During the debate’s interruption period for member comments, multiple assembly representatives drew attention to the poor material conditions facing the Suriname Fire Corps, which extend beyond outdated legislation. Lawmakers highlighted widespread issues including aging and worn fire hoses, outdated uniforms and footwear, outdated response vehicles and a critical shortage of fire stations across the country. The long-unmet need for a new fire station in Meerzorg was also raised again by participants.

    Lawmakers also revisited the balance of authority between district commissioners and fire service operational leadership. Multiple members reaffirmed that while district commissioners retain formal responsibility for maintaining public order in their jurisdictions, they must not interfere with the technical operational decisions of fire response commanders during emergency incidents.

    Other specific concerns raised during the debate included the operational status of the airport fire service, particularly at the Zorg en Hoop Airport. Lawmakers called for improved inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministry of Justice and Police and the Ministry of Transport, Communication & Tourism to streamline fire service governance and enable faster, more effective responses to large-scale emergencies.

    Following the member comment period, Vorswijk clarified that the parliamentary committee is fully aware of the broad range of operational and infrastructure challenges facing the fire corps, but the current legislative process is focused exclusively on advancing the proposed regulatory amendments. Further debate on the revised Fire Service Act will be resumed at a later date, following additional committee work.

  • Chutney en zuurgoed van vruchtenschillen zorgen voor extra inkomstenkansen

    Chutney en zuurgoed van vruchtenschillen zorgen voor extra inkomstenkansen

    At Suriname’s ongoing Agrarian Trade Fair hosted at the KKF building, the nation’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) is showcasing a creative new approach to sustainable food production: turning commonly discarded fruit peels into marketable, delicious edible products. Two standout innovations drawing crowds of visitors are tangy passion fruit peel chutney and pickled watermelon rind, part of the ministry’s broader push to eliminate food waste and unlock added value across the local agricultural supply chain.

    Speaking at the event, LVV Minister Mike Noersalim emphasized that the project’s core mission is to cut unnecessary food waste by making use of every part of harvested crops. “No product goes to waste here, and we are working aggressively to build new revenue streams by adding value to locally grown produce,” Noersalim stated. To scale this model, the ministry has committed to supporting interested local entrepreneurs through a range of targeted programs, with two key policy goals: boosting domestic agricultural production and reducing Suriname’s long-standing reliance on imported food goods.

    The passion fruit chutney concept originated from the Agricultural Marketing and Processing division of the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing. Junior researcher Romana Matdalim explained that commercial processors have traditionally thrown away passion fruit peels as a valueless byproduct. She and her team developed the idea to repurpose the discarded peels into a unique flavor product, a development she says the team is deeply proud of. The same innovative philosophy applies to the pickled watermelon rind on display, which has surprised fair attendees who sampled the item; many visitors reported mistaking the tangy pickled rind for papaya before learning its true origin.

    Wikash Ghisaidoobe, lead researcher for the Agricultural Processing division, noted that the initiative has already drawn overwhelmingly positive feedback from fair guests, with dozens asking for full recipes to replicate the products at home. Ghisaidoobe highlighted that the LVV’s zero-waste model opens new economic opportunities for both emerging young entrepreneurs and established local business owners, turning agricultural waste into an additional source of steady income.

    By integrating byproduct processing into the full food supply chain, the project adds tangible economic value while advancing more sustainable agricultural practices across the country, Ghisaidoobe explained. “This approach lets us use our harvested fruit more responsibly, and moves us one step closer to achieving our goal of becoming the regional food hub for the Caribbean,” he added.

    Beyond the zero-waste product showcase, Minister Noersalim announced a new capacity-building initiative for Suriname’s agricultural sector: two LVV officials will travel to Indonesia in the coming weeks to complete specialized training on full-supply-chain processing for breadfruit, known locally as bredebon. According to President Jennifer Simons’ prior policy guidance, breadfruit is one of the key local crops targeted for large-scale production expansion. Minister Noersalim noted that international demand for Suriname’s breadfruit already outpaces current supply, with major demand coming from regional markets including Barbados.

    The 2026 Agrarian Trade Fair opened earlier this month and will remain open to the public through Sunday, giving agricultural stakeholders and consumers more time to explore the new sustainable innovations on display.

  • SLTA touts benefits from IShowSpeed’s visit

    SLTA touts benefits from IShowSpeed’s visit

    In a groundbreaking move to boost its global tourism profile, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has partnered with one of the world’s biggest digital content creators, IShowSpeed, for a branded stop on the influencer’s ongoing Caribbean tour. The high-impact collaboration is already being hailed as one of the most successful destination marketing initiatives the island nation has launched in recent years.

    Known officially as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., IShowSpeed is a Cincinnati-born American YouTube giant and live streamer whose audience spans the globe. Boasting more than 53 million subscribers on YouTube alone, and millions of additional followers across Instagram, TikTok, X and other major social platforms, he ranks among the most influential digital creators working today. Famous for his high-octane, unpredictable on-stream energy, he draws massive, engaged viewership for every broadcast he publishes.

    IShowSpeed touched down in Saint Lucia late Monday, fresh off a promotional stop in neighboring Barbados. The SLTA hosted the creator in the coastal town of Soufrière for his first full day on the island, before he traveled to the island’s northern region the following day to go live for his global audience. What followed was a multi-hour broadcast that captured the attention of millions of viewers around the world.

    During the live stream, IShowSpeed connected with a wide range of local Saint Lucian personalities, from renowned steel pan musician Chaz and former international cricket captain Daren Sammy to content creator Ezra D Fun Machine and beloved local figure Umpa. He also stopped to interact with local artisans at the island’s arcade, interact with local schoolchildren, and meet members of the general public. Beyond highlighting Saint Lucia’s people and culture, the stream also showcased the island’s most iconic natural and cultural attractions, including the powdery shores of Reduit Beach, the historic Pigeon Island, the bustling Castries Market, the central Derek Walcott Square, and the world-famous Pitons, Saint Lucia’s signature volcanic twin peaks.

    SLTA CEO Louis Lewis explained in a post-event statement that the partnership with IShowSpeed was intentionally designed to advance the authority’s core strategic goal: dramatically expanding global awareness of Saint Lucia as a top Caribbean travel destination. Lewis emphasized that the collaboration delivered unprecedented access to audiences that traditional tourism marketing campaigns rarely reach, with a return on investment that outpaced nearly all recent initiatives the SLTA has run.

    Preliminary estimates put the campaign’s return on investment at an extraordinary 77-to-1 ratio, meaning the value of the global exposure Saint Lucia gained from the stream was 77 times greater than the total amount the authority invested in the partnership. That figure, Lewis noted, is one of the highest ROI marks the SLTA has recorded for any marketing campaign in recent memory.

    Lewis added that IShowSpeed’s on-island itinerary was carefully crafted to align with the SLTA’s modern, people-first approach to destination marketing. Instead of focusing solely on luxury resorts and postcard-perfect beaches, the stream highlighted every layer of Saint Lucian life: from the island’s rich local culture and deep history to its world-renowned culinary scene, one-of-a-kind heritage, and vibrant entertainment sector. Most importantly, Lewis said, the broadcast put the warmth and hospitality of the Saint Lucian people front and center, showcasing their adventurous spirit, genuine kindness, and strong sense of community to millions of global viewers.

    Early viewership data confirms the overwhelming success of the campaign: the SLTA recorded more than 4.4 million unique viewers for IShowSpeed’s live broadcast from the island. The content resonated particularly strongly with the country’s most valuable source markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and major European tourism markets such as France and Germany. The stream also sparked intense engagement among the large Saint Lucian diaspora spread across North America, Europe and other regions.

    Beyond raw viewership, the performance metrics for the campaign exceeded all internal expectations. Audience sentiment analysis of comments, shares and reactions to the stream found overwhelmingly positive responses from viewers. More than 4 million people interacted with content from the tour, clicking through to learn more about Saint Lucia or sharing the stream and related content with their own social networks, a level of organic engagement that Lewis described as phenomenal.

    Looking ahead, the SLTA leadership expects the collaboration with IShowSpeed to translate into sustained growth in visitor arrivals to Saint Lucia over the coming months and years. Lewis noted that the campaign delivered a massive boost to the island’s global visibility, and the SLTA’s next step will be to build on that momentum with additional targeted marketing campaigns to convert viewer interest into actual bookings.

    Lewis closed by thanking all the stakeholders who made the partnership a success, including the in-house SLTA team, local volunteers, partner organizations such as the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, local creative professionals, and the Saint Lucian police force that supported the event.

  • Correct Oath Administered After Swearing-In Error Involving Prime Minister and Attorney General

    Correct Oath Administered After Swearing-In Error Involving Prime Minister and Attorney General

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — The Office of the Governor General has issued a public correction following an administrative error during the recent swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new Prime Minister and Attorney General.

    In a formal press release, officials confirmed that an obsolete version of the Oath of Allegiance, which previously required loyalty to the British Crown, was mistakenly administered during the initial ceremonial proceedings. The error comes after the island nation implemented a landmark update to its oath requirements via the Oaths Act 2025, which officially entered into force on January 1, 2026. The legislative change was crafted to align the national oath with Antigua and Barbuda’s evolving constitutional identity as an independent sovereign state.

    Under the updated legal requirements laid out in Schedule 1 of the new Act, all senior public officials must now swear or affirm a revised oath. The mandated text reads: “I, [Name], [swear by Almighty God] [solemnly and sincerely, declare and affirm] that I will faithfully bear true allegiance to the State of Antigua and Barbuda, its Constitution and laws.”

    The Governor General’s Office noted that it has already updated official state records to reflect the legally required updated oath, correcting the administrative mistake. The office also emphasized its ongoing commitment to upholding the highest constitutional standards for all government proceedings, and expressed regret over any public confusion that resulted from the inadvertent error.

  • ABLP, AT&LU to Mark 75th Labour Day with Thanksgiving Service on Sunday

    ABLP, AT&LU to Mark 75th Labour Day with Thanksgiving Service on Sunday

    A landmark milestone in the history of Antigua and Barbuda’s labour movement is set to be marked with a special inter-group observance, as two of the nation’s key labour-focused institutions join forces to organize a commemoration. The Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) has announced a partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to host a Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the 75th anniversary of the country’s formal observance of Labour Day.

    The commemorative gathering has been scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Gracefield Moravian Church, located in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of St John’s, the nation’s capital.

    Event organizers have emphasized that the ecumenical service is far more than a ceremonial gathering; it is a core component of broader anniversary activities designed to honor the decades-long, transformative contributions of the domestic labour movement. The observance will shine a spotlight on the central role that organized workers and union leaders have played in pushing for expanded workers’ rights across every sector of the Antigua and Barbuda economy, and in driving the inclusive national development that has shaped the modern country over generations.

    For Antigua and Barbuda, Labour Day carries profound historical weight. It is a permanent tribute to the early struggles and hard-won achievements of the trade union pioneers and ordinary working people who organized, advocated, and fought to build the fairer, more equitable society that exists in the nation today. Without the efforts of these early movement members, many of the workplace protections and social gains that citizens now take for granted would not have been possible.

    To ensure that this milestone anniversary is a community-wide celebration, organizers have issued an open invitation to all members of the Antigua and Barbuda public to attend the Service of Thanksgiving, encouraging residents to join in reflecting on the labour movement’s legacy and giving thanks for the progress it has delivered.