SOUTH Korea has offered its support for skills training in Latin America and the Caribbean following the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB’s) 2014 Labour Markets and Social Security Regional Policy Dialogue, which concluded last week in Seoul, South Korea. Guyana’s Labour Minister, who attended the meeting, said it was successful and ended on a high note having discussed challenges and options moving forward for participating countries.

“At present, South Korea finances the operations of the Global Institute for Transferral of Skills in 15 countries and has offered to include Latin America and Caribbean countries. The discussions on this will continue. At present Nicaragua benefits from significant assistance from Korea,” Minister Gopaul said.
The meeting, which provided countries a forum to reflect together about what public policies can improve the quality of employment, saw discussions on the insecurity, informality and precariousness associated with jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was noted that while the unemployment rate is low, the high labor turnover means that many workers are traveling often between employment and unemployment, and between formal and informal jobs. In addition, many challenges remain for youth, women and vulnerable groups in finding employment.
During the September 22-26 dialogue, an analysis of the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean was presented, discussing the impact of the aforementioned risks and presenting different initiatives carried out both in the region and in Korea and other countries.
Minister Gopaul said the discussions were useful and the Caribbean was well represented at the meeting attended by a select group of international experts and high-level government officials in charge of labour and social security issues.
Korea, in just half a century managed to become a world power and provides a useful example for the region. Its growth strategy is placed in the center of its public policy on human capital development and employment. South Korea has implemented a comprehensive protection system against unemployment and now has an “Employment Insurance System”, to guarantee the protection of unemployed workers, promote employment, and improve the professional capabilities of workers.
While in Korea, Minister Gopaul had bilateral meetings with several leading officials and the directorate of the employment insurance system and job placement centres, in addition to visiting the centres for a firsthand look at the operations.
The Minister also met representatives and leaders of Ministries of Labour and Social Security.