I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the Government of Grenada, the Department of Labour and on my own personal behalf to join with the Grenada Trades Union Council in commemoration of its Annual Solidarity Week. The Trade Union Council (TUC) began observing its solidarity week since 1993 and continues to give recognition to its traditional strength of tripartism and social dialogue. The theme for this year’s activity is “Promoting Social and Economic Transformation”, which indeed underscores the important role of the trade unions as a social partner in national development. As I reflect on the theme, it brings to mind what my Government views as the prerequisites for social and economic development, which includes:- ►Quality leadership ►Good governance ►A new value system and ►A problem solving approach to life. I am pleased to note that one of the items on the TUC’s Solidarity Week Agenda is the hosting of a workshop on “Decent Work”. It is in this regard that I am also pleased to share that my Government is committed and fully supports the four strategic objectives of the “Decent Work” agenda, which are:- ► Promoting and realizing standards and fundamental principles and rights at work. ►Creating greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and incomes. ►Enhancing the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all and ►Strengthening tripartism and social dialogue. As the Minister for Labour, I recognize the important role that must be undertaken by the Labour Department personnel and myself to further create and enhance the enabling environment for the strategic objectives to be achieved and maintained. It is equally important for the decent work agenda to be incorporated into national strategies to alleviate poverty. Additionally, policies and programmes should be developed to address the obstacles to decent and productive work faced by employees generally and specifically the youth and persons with disabilities. I commend the TUC for sustaining its Solidarity Week for the past fifteen (15) years and reaffirm my commitment to working together as a social partner. One group or one individual cannot do it alone, in this rapidly changing and challenging global economic and social environment. I want to share with you the vision of Nehemiah to restore the walls of Israel, to enable restoration of Social and Economic Development following Israel’s devastation, and I quote: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” Nehemiah , Chapter 4, Verse 6. Together with the TUC we promote Social and Economic Transformation for the good of our Nation. I sincerely wish the TUC a successful Solidarity Week and now declare the Grenada Trades Union Council Annual Solidarity Week open. May God continue to bless us all. I thank you. Inside Grenada News