Former Governor General Sir Clifford Darling will be the focus of this year’s Labour Day celebrations as the trade unionists prepare to pay tribute to those who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the movement in the country.

Leading up to the grand Labour Day Parade on Friday, June 1, there will be a number of events aimed at paying homage to Sir Clifford.

Sir Clifford, a past president of The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union and also a former Labour minister, died last December following a long illness.

He served as governor general from 1992 to 1995.

“Sir Clifford played a very important role in getting the holiday we now call Labour Day observed,” Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said.

“He also played a significant role in the bringing forward the Women’s Suffrage Movement, One-Man One-Vote, the General Strike of 1958 and the right to congregate. These are all examples of the contributions this giant of a man has made.”

There will be a church service held on Sunday, May 27 to commemorate Labour Week and on May 30, the TUC will hold a one-day lecture series at the Sheraton Hotel.

Mr. Ferguson said that the Labour Day Parade will bring together thousands of workers in solidarity after a tumultuous period on the labour front.

“This day is also special because we will be paying tribute to a man who is truly one of the fathers of labour in the country,” Mr. Ferguson said.