May 02 - May Day Message From The Chief Minister
On the 1st of May yesterday we celebrated international workers' day, a day which commemorates a time of civil unrest in the late 19th century when workers in industrialized countries demonstrated for improved working conditions, wage raises and the establishment of a maximum working day and week. Today, in 2014, it is right that we remember those who made sacrifices for workers’ rights, but it is important that we focus on making sure that we continue to strive to realise more rights for workers while preserving a competitive edge in the business world.
The Government has said that the GSD’s “hypocrisy” has “sunk to a new low” in the latest exchange in the row over the problems caused by the sale of tobacco in residential areas.
The GSD says it regrets that it has not been invited to the May Day Rally this year. The party says that the move follows what it describes as the "sudden withdrawal" of an invitation by Unite last year for the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, to speak at the event following what it claims was pressure from the Chief Minister.
The Chamber of Commerce has issued a mixed response to the news that the Government will be introducing new working hours for public sector workers as from 12th May. The Chamber says it has been aware of the Government’s intention to introduce these new hours for some time and in principle opposed these as it would lead to disparate working conditions between the public sector and the majority of the private sector.
