May 01 - May Day Message By The Leader of the Opposition
May Day message from Daniel Feetham, the Leader of the Oppositon:
This year my May Day Message is delivered in the context of significant uncertainty over Brexit. An uncertainty that is creating concern amongst ordinary working people. I have said many times that we as a community have always been entrepreneurial and imaginative “go getters” in nature. It is one feature of our identity as Gibraltarians which we have always been particularly proud of. We are a society that perseveres and by pure grit, tenacity, imagination and business like mentality, we have taken advantage of Gibraltar’s unique position and made it work. These may be uncertain times but whatever challenges may come our way, we will find a way to not only make it work but take positive advantage from it.
The private sector
In this context it is important not to lose sight of the fact that it is a healthy, vibrant and successful small and medium size businesses in Gibraltar that will provide good, secure and real jobs to members of our community both young and old. Red tape and bureaucracy need to be lessened or eliminated altogether. The challenge is to reduce costs for business and make Gibraltar more business friendly without forgetting to provide workers in the private sector with a fair deal. The reality however is that the private sector will never be able to compete with the public sector while large sways of workers remain without private pension rights. It is, and will remain, a significant problem for those affected, their families and future generations. A problem that needs to be tackled sooner rather than later.
Training
Again this year I reiterate that the Future Job Strategy has not worked. Despite calls for the Government to refocus we have been ignored. We continue to need to implement measures which ensure that young people have the skills they need for our job market, with properly structured vocational training.
We need to increase the number of apprenticeships both in traditional trades and areas for which there is private sector demand. This would be the way to give locals the opportunity to acquire the skills and qualifications necessary to access the jobs that arise in our economy.
Exploitative practices
Over the last year, the GSD has been the only organization to consistently hold the Government to account on exploitative practices in the workplace. We have raised the issue of permanent supply workers at the GHA and the Post Office, the over use of recruitment agencies and the abuse of fixed term short contracts to name but a few. Practices that have no place in the kind of fair society we want to create and certainly not in an economy which according to the Government is the third wealthiest in the world. Working people also deserve a fair deal and with the increase of the minimum wage by a pittance together with recent increases in social security, there are many who do not feel they are getting a fair deal.
Union independence
Since 2012 I have been repeating the message that Unions need to remain independent of Government. In 2013, I expressed sadness at Unite’s decision to withdraw a written invitation for me to appear and speak at the May Day rally because of Government pressure. Independent unions are also what will best represent and protect workers. Independent unions and indeed, an independent and fair press, are also fundamental pillars of democracy which help hold any Government to account. Allowing a Government of any political persuasion to create a ring of steel around it does no one any good at all.
The GSD will continue to fiercely stand up for working people, their families and the interests of Gibraltar as a whole.
I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and restful May Day.
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