David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, released the following statement in recognition of Bermuda’s workers on Labour Day:

“Labour Day is a day to honour the workers of Bermuda. It reminds us of the strength of the labour movement and the courage of those who fought for fairness and justice. The rights we stand on today were not given freely. They were demanded, fought for, and won by Bermudians who did not wait for permission but stood together to claim what was fair and just.

“This year’s theme, Labour is the Link, captures the essence of our history and our future. Labour has always been the connection between a fairer Bermuda and the work that makes it possible. It has also been the link between our trade unions and the Progressive Labour Party.

“From its inception, the PLP has been the party of labour. It was built by working men and women who refused to accept inequality. It was a party that gave voice to the voiceless and stood for those without a seat at the table.

“The PLP and the unions share a bond forged in struggle and sacrifice, which remains strong today as this government continues to work with labour to ensure every worker in Bermuda is treated with dignity and respect.

“That fight is not finished. In February, this Government was returned to office to build a fairer Bermuda and we are keeping that promise. We delivered wage increases for public sector workers because this Government believes in fairness and that fairness demands that all workers, including our vital healthcare workers at the hospital, get their wage increase.

“We raised seniors' pensions in line with the rate of inflation since 2017, ensuring those who contributed so much to our island can live with dignity.

“We have also cut taxes on workers and families, putting more money into the pockets of Bermudians who are working hard every day.

“It was this Labour Government that implemented the first minimum wage in Bermuda’s history to protect workers from exploitation and ensure they were paid fairly. Today, September 1, that minimum wage increases again to further support the workers of Bermuda.

“These are not just policies on paper; they are real changes improving the lives of Bermudians today. Changes born from collaboration between the PLP Government and our trade unions.

“Yet there is still work to do — work to ensure families can live with dignity, work to protect our seniors and work to open doors of opportunity for our young people. This is why we continue to march together. This is why we continue to empower workers together. This is why we govern with the people at the centre of our mission.

“This government remains what it has always been — the party of the people, the advocate for the vulnerable and the champion for those too often ignored. Until every worker is secure, every family can thrive and every Bermudian shares in a fairer Bermuda, our work will not be done.

“We have championed the causes and rights of workers in the past. Today, unions and this government continue to work side by side to shape policies that protect workers in the present, but our responsibility does not end there.

“We must prepare our people for the jobs and opportunities of the future. Artificial intelligence, the digital economy and new technologies like electric vehicles are no longer distant ideas, they are here today. Our workers cannot be left behind, and with training, skills and opportunities, we will ensure Bermudians are ready not just to face the economy of tomorrow but to be leaders in it.

“Labour is the link between justice and opportunity, between progress and fairness. Labour is the link that binds the PLP and the unions together. Let us be clear, when the unions and the Labour party are not united, it is the workers who lose.

“Together, with labour as the link, we will keep building a fairer Bermuda.”