REPRESENTATIVES from Caribbean employers’ and workers’ regional organizations will tomorrow meet with officials from the European Economic and Social Council, the over-arching body of social partners in the European Union (EU), as part of a three-day study tour to gain insights into best practice on social dialogue. During the visit to Brussels, the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) will also meet with respective EU regional organizations, Business Europe and the European Trade Union Confederation, to ascertain how they achieve an effective voice on a regional platform.  At a national level, CEC will visit the Federation of Belgian Employers and CCL will meet the three Belgian trade union centres to discuss how best to formulate policy with national constituents.
The study tour forms part of a project funded by the EU, executed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and implemented by CEC and CCL, which aims to strengthen Caribbean regional organisations to give effective input into economic and social policies at a regional level.
“The Caribbean Employers’ Confederation sees this study tour as an important step in building our capacity and expertise to create effective social dialogue, improve policymaking, and deepen cooperation and integration within our region. Our European partners have been working at this for decades and we will be using this opportunity to benefit from their experience.” stated Wayne Chen, President, CEC.
The ILO Office in Brussels will also receive the group, as will members of the EU-ACP Follow-up Committee, the European Delegation of the EU-CARIFORUM Consultative Committee, the European Commission and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
The study tour will be represented by members of the CEC and CCL executive boards, coming from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, along with Anne Knowles, Senior Specialist, Employers’ Activities and Paula Robinson, Senior Specialist, Workers’ Activities from the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean. (ILO News)