Dominica: The Labour family of Dominica came together to celebrate 70 years of the labour movement on June 1. The Dominica Labour Party (DLP) was created in 1955 with the aim of supporting the poor, protecting the vulnerable and fighting for the working class.
The forefathers of the political party, who created the Labour Movement for Dominica did so with the vision of a nation where every man, woman and child can walk with dignity and hope. On June 1, the supporters and members of the political party convened at Dublanc for a celebratory rally.
The rally grounds were flooded with red as the supporters and members showed up in large numbers. The attendants included people of all ages commemorating this significant milestone.
The Minister of Tourism in the reigning Labour Administration, Denise Charles-Pemberton began her address with a rousing callback on the history of the Political Party. The Minister spoke about all the progress that the administration has introduced in their various tenures.
She highlighted that the Dominica labour Party is here because of the work and dedication of the previous administration. “It is due to the efforts of the Labour party Stalwarts that the political party has continued to serve the nation for decades.
Minister Charles-Pemberton noted that when the Dominica Labour Party took office in 2000, they inherited the nation at a low. The people who did not have land deed to their name could not access education beyond High School.
Even so, education was accessible to a select number of people and home ownership was for the privileged. The roads of the country were narrow and crumbling, said the Minister of Tourism at the Dublanc Rally.
She asserted that Dominica was popular in the region, but it was for all the wrong reasons. The Ministter said that upon taking office in the year 2000, he Labour Party changed the circumstances.
Minister Charles-Pemberton credited this development to the steady governance of the Labour Administration. She recalled that the Labour party was responsible for introducing night landing in Dominica.
Prior to Labour, the Melvin Hall Airport used to close down at sundown, and no flights landed in Dominica past this time. The Labour Party administration has improved the tourism sector of the country significantly in their address.
The Minister asserted that the political party was responsible for creating the Housing Loan Board. The board provided public servants loans at an interest rate of 5 percent and made education more accessible for the people of the country.
She recalled that the Labour has been working hard to give back to the community and continues to prioritize public welfare across decades of service. Minister of Tourism Denise Charles-Pemberton said that Labour gives people who did not think they could make it, a chance to flourish.
Labour, according to the Minister is not only talking, but also working hard to create opportunities for the people. Talking about the future, Minister Charles-Pemberton said that in the next decade labour is going to scale up on the progress they have already made.
She highlighted that they are building the international airport in the country which is all set to bring more connections and opportunities for the people. The farmers can export more and earn better from their produce and businessmen can also seek more business opportunities.
The families will also be able to travel easier with the development of the airport. Dominica is also working on developing the Cabrits Marina, making Dominica into a yachting destination.
The tourism development in the country can help Dominica become a cradle of opportunities. With the development of the Marina and the International Airport, the island will attract several high spending tourists.
Local businesses are expected to see a boost and more locals will have employment opportunities. The government is also making efforts to improve the hospitality sector with more locally owned accommodations.
The labour Party has a vision for Dominica where the nation is leading the region in climate resilience. They want to see all the sites and villages within the nation turn into popular tourist destinations.