May Day activities were planned for Thursday in a number of Caribbean countries including Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The labour movements in these islands are taking a critical look at what they have been able to achieve over the past year, while pushing for additional gains for their members. The global food crisis and its impact on the region are of concern to trade unions in the Caribbean. General Secretary of the National Workers Movement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Noel Jackson said he expects employers including the government to make a real effort to help the country's workers cope. He said this will aid in avoiding riots and social unrest. "We have a serious challenge because every single worker is affected by the rising food prices; in fact, every single worker is complaining that his salary can no longer afford the things that they use to afford a year ago and that in itself, presents a challenge not only to the unions but also to the employers." Mr. Jackson said the way to deal with this problem from labour union's perspective was to sit down with the employers and demand more. "While we are demanding more, we would have to work with the employer to put measures in place to ensure that we can get productivity for what we are asking for ... you have to appreciate that the worker who works hard expects to get proper rewards at the end of the day," said Mr. Jackson. Reprinted from radioja.com