Labor and Nationalism in the British Caribbean

Abstract

In the British Caribbean territories, the labor movement and trade unionism have been vehicles for nationalist and home-rule sentiments. The first trade unions appeared after World War I, but their efforts to raise wages and living standards by legislation largely failed, owing to lack of adequate political representation. The depression of the thirties worsened the situation of the workers and led to widespread disturbances in 1937. As a result of recom mendations by a Royal Commission in 1939, universal suffrage was introduced and good labor laws enacted. Since then labor leaders have gained political offices, and the labor movement has become increasingly respectable and effec tive.—Ed.