– ILO DG tells Caribbean labour officials

By Navendra Seoraj in Panama City

IN a world of constant innovation, climate change and other revolution, Caribbean countries as a collective must be progressive and not be spectators in the process of change.

Those changes have and continue to complement the changes in the world of work, making it essential for labour organisations and leaders to focus on protecting the rights and wellbeing of workers from every level. “We need to understand that changes are taking place in the world of work, so you must not be idle spectators in the process of change, but active architects in creating the world we want,” said Director General (DG) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Guy Ryder, during his presentation to labour officials from across the Caribbean at a high-level, sub-regional tripartite meeting in Panama ahead of the 19th American Regional Meeting which is set to commence today.

Ryder believes that solid partnerships and alliances among Caribbean nations are needed in order to have coherent and effective plans. He said there needs to be special emphasis on social partnerships and regional integration.

In an attempt to start that process, labour officials, including a team from Guyana, met at the Sheraton Hotel where they discussed “selected key topics for future work in the Caribbean.”

Each country has its particular characteristics and challenges which need to be addressed, said Ryder, adding that it is therefore necessary for Caribbean countries to have their voices individually and collectively heard.

Caribbean nations were encouraged to work together, especially at a time when there are challenges, to stimulate economic growth and deal with high levels of debt which diminishes fiscal space. “We know the international situation is generating a degree of uncertainty in your sub-region as it is in others…we are aware that your region faces challenges of climate change in an acute manner…there are also challenges of migration and people are moving around the globe in greater numbers,” said the director general, adding that in light of those challenges, there is need for a new focus on labour law reforms.

Although the DG admitted reforming labour laws is not an easy process, he said the meeting provided a space for nations to discuss and think about strategies to meet the decent work objectives.

According to the ILO, decent work involves opportunities for work that are productive and deliver a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organise and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

Countries across the Caribbean have been working towards the decent work agenda. Jamaica and Guyana were lauded by Ryder for moving ahead with the ratification of domestic employees.

Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados were also recognised for their work in addressing issues related to harassment and violence at work.

The ILO also noted the progress in the areas of building green economies and promoting youth employment and education.

Panama’s Minister of Labour and Labour Development, Luis Ernesto Carles, said the decent work agenda is timelier than ever within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since it provides the necessary support to create more resilient and inclusive societies in which employment and social security are fundamental pillars to achieve them.
“Today’s discussions are extremely important, not only for the Caribbean but also for Latin America, since we live in a globalised world where sub-regional policies have an impact at a regional and global level,” said the minister, adding that important progress has been made in recent decades, in terms of governance and economic development.

He believes that the slow recovery since the crisis of 2008 has shown that structural reforms are necessary to achieve sustainable development with equity, and this will only happen with the concurrence and support of all sectors in the countries, and with the support of the regional community. The discussions about the future of work that have been carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean only confirm that an integration between the Caribbean and Latin America is becoming more imminent, which should result in mutual benefits in social, economic and cultural terms and governance.