Caribbean Labour Movement Analysis

Some causes of the 1930s labour rebellions throughout the Caribbean region was low wages, high unemployment and underemployment, racist attitudes of the colonial administrators and employers towards black workers, lack of representation, no established structure for the resolution of industrial disputes by collective bargaining, and the great depression (Hart, 2002). In the pos-emancipation period, the colonial ruling class enacted legislation that limited mobility of the workers and maintained the existing socio-economic and political relations in the colonies (Barrow-Giles, 2002). Bolland mentioned that the underlying reason for the rebellions was economic inequalities that were caused by colonial rule and the issue of race, the workers back

Significant recommendations made by the Commission called for legal obstacles to be removed, and legislation put in place to “protect trade unions against actions for damages and legalize peaceful picketing.” The legislation made Wage boards thinks about question related to hours of employment, wage rates and other conditions of labor, especially in Agriculture and other areas of the private sector (as cited in Lorde, 2005). The Commission also recommended improvements in education, health, housing, exc. and a more representative government for the colonies. The political recommendation of adult suffrage was significant because for the first time the underclass could be included in the decision making process, but it did still fail to reduce the power of the governors who controlled the executive in the colonies. From the late 1930 to 1950 there was more political parties, which allowed more working and middle class individuals into the political arena (Barrow-Giles, 2002). Garvey emphasized that blacks needed political power because lack of political power put them in the position that they were in, which was social, economic and cultural deprivation (as cited in Barrow-Giles,

The 1930s labour rebellions increased the self-confidence of the workers in the colonies and made them believe there can be change if you come together for a common cause. They made the Royal Commission and through its recommendation the British Government realize the need to bring trade union legislation in all the colonies into line with legislation in Britain. Trade Unions were made legal in all colonies making peaceful strikes giving trade unionist immunity from actions for breach of contract as result of strikes. The organized trade unionist in these colonies were developed into modern trade union movements and till this day contribute to the continuing struggle for an improved standard of living (Hart, 2002). A major demand of the 1930s uprising was for wanting self-government, which inspired the political movements in the later decolonization struggles of the 1950s and 1960s (Henke & Réno, 2003). The legitimization of trade unions and the granting of universal adult suffrage were two of the most important agreements of the British and the colonial ruling class to the workers. The aftermath of the 1930s accelerated the pace of constitutional and socio-economic developments and also signaled the attack on the entire structure of colonial administration and society (Barrow-Giles,