Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The main causes of labor unrest in the Caribbean during 1937 primarily revolved around poor working conditions and low wages. During this period, workers faced severely inadequate working environments, often characterized by long hours, lack of safety measures, and insufficient pay that did not align with the rising cost of living. Many laborers, particularly in sugar and banana plantations, experienced exploitation and were subjected to harsh conditions, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and strikes.

The discontent created by these poor working conditions and low wages fueled a growing sense of frustration among the working class, which manifested in organized protests and demands for better treatment. The socio-economic context of the time, including the fallout from the Great Depression, contributed to heightened awareness of labor rights and the need for economic reform, prompting the labor uprisings that were characteristic of the Caribbean in 1937.

While other factors like political discrimination, social injustice, natural disasters, and colonial policies played a role in the broader socio-political landscape, the immediate triggers for the labor unrest were most acutely felt in the form of unacceptable working conditions and insufficient wages.