Bermuda’s workers and trade unions get a long weekend to commemorate Labour Day – after traditional commemorations of solidarity the two previous years were muted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speeches in Union Square and the march through Hamilton’s streets have not been observed in Bermuda since 2019.

Jason Hayward, the labour minister and a former head of the Bermuda Public Services Union, this week saluted the dialogue between the Government and unions that was helping to “improve working standards, for workers across the board”.

Jarion Richardson, the Deputy Leader of Opposition, paid tribute to the “invaluable” contributions of Bermuda’s workers – adding that the fight for “an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay will never be over”.

“Only through the singular vision and focus of hard-working men and women was the contribution and value of labour recognised in law,” Mr Richardson said, adding that worker’s rights still faced threats from inflation to wage stagnation.

“Even though the worst of the historical abuse has passed, the motivations to take advantage of labour are still present.”

The Swan’s Running Club Labour Day 5k road race is scheduled to kick off events on Monday. Numbers can be collected from Dutton Avenue and the race starts at 8am.

Speeches traditionally start at 10am at Union Square, followed by a march through Hamilton beginning at 11am.