The labour minister has announced an awareness campaign with the Bermuda Trade Union Congress as the island marks May Day.

Jason Hayward said the Collective Bargaining Awareness Campaign would promote understanding of benefits and highlight workers’ legal rights to organise.

Speaking on the eve of International Workers Day, Mr Hayward said the partnership would come with educational forums and a national media campaign on the part played by trade unions.

He added: “We are proud to stand alongside the BTUC to ensure that all workers have the tools, protections and voice they deserve.

“Together, we are building a more resilient and inclusive Bermuda.”

Mr Hayward said the celebration honoured “the achievements, contributions and sacrifices of workers across our island and around the world”.

“As a labour government, we remain steadfast in our mission to protect workers’ rights, increase union membership and promote collective bargaining,” he said.

“These are the pillars of a fair and equitable society.”

Mr Hayward noted that the International Labour Organisation consistently highlighted the importance of collective bargaining.

Its global wage report called it “an essential tool for reducing inequality and building cohesive societies”, while the ILO’s Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation stated that it was “a key instrument to achieving decent work and sustainable development”.

Mr Hayward added: “Collective bargaining is not just a right; it is essential to achieving fairness, stability and shared prosperity.

“As we celebrate the victories of the labour movement, we must also renew our commitment to further progress.”