promoting sustainable development through decent … sustainable development through decent work in...

ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean

6 Stanmore Avenue, P. O. Box 1201, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Telephone: +1 868 625-0524 or 623-7704

Fax: +1 868 627-8978

Email: [email protected]

Promoting Sustainable Development through Decent Work in the Caribbean

HIGHLIGHTS 2012 – 2014

Web site www.ilo.org /caribbeanWWWS /

Promoting Sustainable

Development through

Decent Work in the

Caribbean

ILO DECENT WORK TEAM AND OFFICE FOR THE CARIBBEAN

HIGHLIGHTS 2012 – 2014

Copyright © International Labour Organization 2014

First published 2014

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Promoting Sustainable Development through Decent Work in the Caribbean

ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean

2014

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Cover photo: ©

Design and printing by the International Training Centre of the ILO, Turin – Italy

Martin Alves

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Table of contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ii

INTRODUCTION iv

Unemployment, economic growth and poverty eradication,

Skills and training

The green economy

Unemployment, Economic Growth and Poverty Eradication 2

Skills and Training 5

The Green Economy 6

Social protection and inclusion 8

HIV and AIDS 10

Occupational Safety and Health and Environment 11

Persons with Disabilities 12

Child Labour 13

Social Security 13

Formalization of the informal economy 15

International labour standards 18

Social dialogue and tripartism 22

Social Dialogue

Employers’ Activities 26

Workers’ Activities 28

Policy coherence 30

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ii

List of abbreviations

ACI Area of Critical Importance

ACS Association of Caribbean States

ABEF Antigua and Barbuda Employers’

Federation

ABPSA Antigua and Barbuda Public Service

Association

ABWU Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union

AGM Annual General Meeting

ATLU Antigua Trades and Labour Union

BCCEC Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and

Employers’ Confederation

CAGI Consultative Association of Guyanese

Industry Ltd

CAMEO Caribbean Academy for Management of

Employers’ Organizations

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CASROC Caribbean Association of Regulators and

Cooperative Societies

CCL Caribbean Congress of Labour

CDB Caribbean Development Bank

CDWN Caribbean Domestic Workers’ Network

CEC Caribbean Employers’ Confederation

CGEI Green Economy Initiative in the Caribbean

CICC Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce

CINTERFOR Inter-American Centre for Knowledge

Development in Vocational

Training

CLMIS Caribbean Labour Market Information

System

COHSOD Council of Human and Social Development

COTED Council of Trade and Economic

Development

CRIP Community Road Improvement Programme

CSM Caribbean Single Market

CSME Caribbean Single Market and Economy

CVQ Caribbean Vocational Qualification

DEF Dominica Employers’ Federation

DOL Department of Labour

DWA Decent Work Agenda

DWCP Decent Work Country Programme

ECATT Employers’ Consultative Association of

Trinidad and Tobago

ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America

and the Caribbean

EDF European Development Fund

EESE Enabling Environment for Sustainable

Enterprises

EPA Economic Partnership Agreement

EU European Union

GB Governing Body

GEF Grenada Employers’ Federation

GTUC Grenada Trades Union Council

HASC HIV and AIDS Advisory and Sustainability

Centre

IADB Inter-American Development Bank

IGDS Institute for Gender and Development

Studies

IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards

ILC International Labour Conference

ILGO Latin American Institute for the

Management of Employers’

Organizations

ILO International Labour Organization/Office

IOE International Organization of Employers

ITUC International Trade Union Confederation

JCTU Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions

JEF Jamaica Employers’ Federation

JHWU Jamaica Household Workers’ Union

LCDS Low Carbon Development Strategy

LFS Labour Force Survey

LMIS Labour Market Information System

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LSMC Living Standards Measurement Committee

PANCAP Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and

AIDS

PEPFAR President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

PHCO HIV Caribbean Office of the Pan American

Health Organization

PIOJ Planning Institute of Jamaica

PPP Public Private Partnerships

MLC Maritime Labour Convention

MNEs Multinational Enterprises

MPM Multi-Dimensional Approach to Poverty

Measurement

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NATUC National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad

and Tobago

NCTUB National Congress of Trade Unions of the

Bahamas

NMT Non-Metropolitan Territory

NTA National Training Agencies

NVQ National Vocational Qualifications

OCTs Overseas Caribbean Territories

OECS Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

OPEC Organisation of Petroleum Exporting

Countries

OSEC One Stop Employment Centre

OSH Occupational Safety and Health

OSHE Occupational Safety and Health and

Environment

RBSA Regular Budget Supplementary Allocation

SCORE Sustaining Competitive and Responsible

Enterprises

SENAI Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem

Industrial (National Service for

Industrial Training of Brazil

SLEF Saint Lucia Employers’ Federation

SIDS Small Island Developing States

SYMAPRO System for Measurement and Improvement

of Productivity

SIYB Start and Improve Your Business

SMEs Small and Micro Enterprises

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ivIntroductionOver the past five years, the International Labour

Organization (ILO) has intensified its advocacy on the

fundamental role of the workplace in harmonizing the

social, economic and environmental dimensions of

sustainable development.1 The ILO Decent Work Team

and Office for the Caribbean (ILO DWT-POS) covers

twenty-two countries (13 member States and 9 Non-

Metropolitan Territories) which are “a distinct group of

developing countries facing specific social, economic

and environmental vulnerabilities” known as Small Island

Developing States (SIDS).2 2014 was declared, by the

United Nations General Assembly as the International

Year of SIDS – a year dedicated to highlighting both

the progress and ongoing challenges faced by SIDS.

At the Inter-regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third

International Conference on Small Island Developing

States, consensus was reached on priority areas for the

1 Report V - Sustainable development, decent work and green

jobs, ILC 102nd Session, 2013. p.2

2 See http://unohrlls.org/custom-content/uploads/2013/08/SIDS-

Small-Islands-Bigger-Stakes.pdf

sustainable development of SIDS. Of the agreed areas

of SIDS’ priorities, there are a number of themes that are

closely linked to the ILO’s mandate:

Unemployment, economic growth and poverty

eradication

Skills and training

The Green Economy

Social Protection and inclusion

Formalization of the Informal Economy

Green jobs, according to the ILO, are “central to

sustainable development and respond to the global

challenges of environmental protection, economic

development and social inclusion”.3 The ILO promotes

the “greening” of the labour market by engaging and

enabling governments, employers and workers to act

as catalysts in the creation of decent employment

opportunities, enhanced resource efficiency and the

3 ILO: http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/green-jobs/lang--en/index.htm

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development of low-carbon sustainable

societies. In an effort to build international

policy coherence the ILO has partnered

with UN and other international agencies

on the development of common positions

and policies over the years. The Green

Jobs Initiative is an ILO partnership

with the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP), International

Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and

International Organization of Employers

(IOE), designed to place at the centre of

policy-making, the wellbeing of women

and men, justice and the environment.4

The UNEP defines a green economy as,

“one that results in improved human

well-being and social equity, while

significantly reducing environmental risks

and ecological scarcities.”5 In 2013, a

policy framework for “a just transition to

a greener economy” was developed

as part of the set of conclusions on

sustainable development, decent

work and green jobs and adopted by

the International Labour Conference

(ILC).6 The process of transitioning to a

“greener economy” faces varying levels

of complexity in the developing world

and is usually compartmentalized for

ease of context and analysis, as poverty

reduction, sustainable development and

environmental governance.

The concept of sustainable development,

one of the prominent components of the Millennium

Development Goals, is based on a number of

fundamental principles that are endorsed by international

organizations and bodies.7 Like many of its counterparts

in international development the principles of equality,

equity, fairness, integration and interdependence, are all

deeply embedded in the foundation and structure of the

ILO.

The nexus between sustainable development and

Decent Work was affirmed at the Rio +20, United Nations

Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio

de Janeiro, Brazil in 2012. The outcome document

emphasizes both the “need for a global strategy on

youth and employment as well as the critical role of

4 See http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/green-jobs/projects/

WCMS_213842/lang--en/index.htm

5 http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/aboutgei/whatisgei/

tabid/29784/default.aspx

6 See http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/media-centre/press-

releases/WCMS_249743/lang--en/index.htm

7 See http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/

documents/1001RIO_20-Rev2ing.pdf

Decent Work in achieving sustainable development”.8

‘Making Decent Work Happen’ is enshrined in the

region’s developmental agenda and evidenced by the

prioritization of the Decent Work Agenda in national

implementation plans.9 The four interrelated and mutually

dependent pillars of the Decent Work Agenda (DWA):

International Labour Standards, Employment, Social

Protection and Social Dialogue form the basis for each of

the 11 Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) that

have been implemented since 2008 in the countries and

territories of the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.10

This report aims to highlight the achievements and

advancements of the Caribbean region from 2012 –

2014 within dual contexts: firstly, a presentation of how

the strategic and technical support of the ILO Decent

Work Team and Office for the Caribbean (ILO DWT-

POS) is aligned with SIDS’ priorities on the promotion

of regional sustainable development; and secondly,

achievements under priority areas – not specifically

articulated under the SIDS’ priorities but which are vital

to the implementation of the DWA in the Caribbean –

International Labour Standards, Social Dialogue and

Tripartism and Policy Coherence.

The ILO DWT-POS reaffirms its commitment to the

Caribbean region’s “unwavering pursuit of sustainable

development” through dynamic, innovative, inclusive

and most-importantly, demand-driven interventions

and continues to engage governments, employers and

workers in policy and programme dialogue with a view

to enabling the creation of decent, high-value-added

jobs that benefit from full access to basic labour rights.11

Furthermore, the Office looks forward to strengthening

and extending multidisciplinary partnerships within the

UN System and with other developmental stakeholders

in order to advance its contribution to the sustainable

development of the region through the promotion

of economic and social policies that enable full and

productive employment.

Giovanni di Cola

Director, ILO Decent Work Team

and Office for the Caribbean

8 See http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N11/476/10/

PDF/N1147610.pdf?OpenElement; paras 23 and 24

9 ILO: GB304-PFA_2(Rev). Strategic Policy Framework. 2010 -

2015

10 See Annex 1

11 See http://www.sids2014.org/content/documents/265Barbados%20

outcome.pdf Inter-regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third

International Conference on Smalls Island Developing States (SIDS),

26 – 28 August 2013, Barbados

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Unemployment,

economic growth and

poverty eradication

Skills and training

The green economy

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The global economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 and

the recession which unfolded have worsened levels of

unemployment in the Caribbean. Employment creation in

the Caribbean continues to be a challenge of extreme

urgency. The ILO DWT-POS has supported the region in

the formulation of recovery and development strategies

specifically through:

effectively and competently designed labour market

and employment policies that enable labour market

actors to efficiently function – for this, a reliable and

accurate Labour Market Information System (LMIS)

which provides relevant and conversant data is

essential;

enhanced employability through Technical and

Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which allows

entrance and re-entrance into the labour market;

the integration of enterprise development frameworks;

business development support for young and new

entrepreneurs – recognizing the significance of self-

employment as a viable alternative;

social protection policies and Occupational Safety

and Health (OSH) and HIV and AIDS work-related

programmes.

In July 2013, twenty-one Caribbean delegations headed

by sixteen Ministers with responsibility for labour met in

Port of Spain. The Meeting, “The Caribbean and Labour

2013 and Beyond: Strengthening Decent Work for

Development”. Core decisions included:

1. The role of Ministries of Labour in promoting and

advancing policy coherence with the aim of making

Decent Work a central goal of national and regional

development efforts;

2. The formalization and institutionalization of social

dialogue at the national and regional levels;

3. The establishment and strengthening of Productivity

Councils to promote productivity enhancement which

will impact economic growth and job creation;

4. The creation of appropriate enabling environments

to encourage movement from informal to formal

employment and to foster innovation and

productive work practices that strengthen regional

competitiveness;

5. The establishment of statistical mechanisms to produce

internationally comparable productivity indicators to

allow monitoring of productive growth.12

12 ILO: Conclusions – 8th Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of

Labour, July 2013. P4© g

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HIGHLIGHTS

Unemployment, Economic Growth

and Poverty Eradication

Labour Market Information generated and

disseminated

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) and Planning

Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in collaboration with the ILO

conducted the School-to-Work Transition Survey (SWTS)

in Jamaica from February to April 2013. Jamaica was

one of four countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

that implemented a SWTS under the framework of the

“Work4Youth” Project. Data on the various challenges

impacting Jamaican youth (between the ages of 15 and

24 years of age) in transitioning from the education system

to the labour market was collected and analyzed.13 A

Stakeholders’ Workshop was convened in April 2014 to

share the findings generated from the Survey. Overall,

the findings highlighted the importance of aligning the

education and training system with the needs of employers

and young job seekers and emphasized the need for

increased avenues for technical and vocational skills

training in Jamaica. A second phase to explore those

activities further is being implemented from August 2014.

Harmonized Labour Force Survey (LFS)

developed

The Secretariat of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean

States (OECS), with the support of the United Nations

Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Eastern Caribbean Area

Office facilitated the fourth Meeting of the OECS Living

Standards Measurement Committee (LSMC) in April 2014,

in Barbados.14 The LSMC is an advisory body which

contributes to the production of accurate harmonized

data and data analysis for labour, poverty and inequality

measurement across the OECS countries. The ILO with

the OECS developed a harmonized Labour Force Survey

(LFS) for all OECS countries. The core discussions of the

Meeting were advancing the Sustainable Household

Data Collection Programme for the Measurement of

Living Standards and the Multi-Dimensional Approach to

Poverty Measurement (MPM) in the OECS. It was agreed

that the LFS should be the core survey of a multi-annual

survey programme in the OECS countries. It was also

agreed that the MPM would be utilized to monitor and

evaluate how poverty is evolving in the countries.15

13 See http://www.ilocarib.org.tt/cef/national%20employment%20

reports/TransitionJamaicanYouthWorldWork_Full.pdf

14 ILO: Caribbean Newslink. April – June 2014; p. 16

15 The Multi-Dimensional Approach to Poverty Measurement

(MPM) has two objectives: 1. to generate regular credible

data to support the monitoring of different micro-dimensions

to poverty; and 2. to develop an effective and innovative

New national Labour Market Information

System (LMIS) launched

Employment services in Antigua and Barbuda have been

strengthened through the implementation of a new

national Labour Market Information System developed

by the ILO. This new system facilitates the collection,

management, reporting and analysis of labour market

data and is a core feature of the Ministry of National

Security and Labour’s rebranded One Stop Employment

Centre (OSEC). The OSEC was launched on 15 May 2014

and provides improved services for jobseekers as well as

enhanced job-matching services for employers.

Capacity of Caribbean LMIS Technical Task

Force strengthened

Members of the Caribbean Labour Market Information

System (CLMIS) Technical Task Force are equipped to

support the enhanced efficiency of Departments of

Labour as a result of two training workshops conducted

in May 2014 in Grenada and Saint Lucia. The workshops

were facilitated by the OECS Secretariat, with support

from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) and

the ILO DWT-POS. The CLMIS Project contributes to the

establishment of the OECS Economic Union as a single

economic and financial space through the development

of a harmonized policy, legislative, regulatory and

administrative framework and the enhancement of the

institutional capacity and export competitiveness of OECS

economies. The CLMIS Technical Task Force performs a

critical role in the regional implementation of the Project.16

Apart from daily maintenance of the Department of

Labour (DoL) computer network (which runs the server

and website), System Administrators are responsible

for supervising the use of CLMIS Software; ensuring the

integrity of the system; producing output from the DoL

databases and providing technical support.

Recommendations for National youth

employment policies formulated

Senior officials of youth ministries and departments

as well as leaders of national youth councils from

13 Caribbean countries participated in a Regional

Seminar on Youth Employment entitled, “Addressing the

Employment Challenges of Caribbean Youth in Times

of Crisis”, in March 2012 in Saint Lucia. The Regional

Seminar was convened by the Commonwealth Youth

Programme Caribbean Centre and hosted by Saint

Lucia’s Ministry of Youth Development and Sports. The

ILO provided specific technical support in the areas

Employment Policy, Technical Vocational Education and

Training (TVET) Reforms and the Role of Small and Micro

approach to national policy toward the achievement of

poverty-reduction goals in the subregion.


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Enterprises (SMEs) in job creation. The three-day policy

dialogue concluded with regional acceptance that

employment policies along with sound macro-economic

policies should reflect a balanced synthesis of TVET,

SME development, public sector investment and work

programmes. A list of recommendations related to the

design of National Employment Policies was framed.

Knowledge and capacity on the Management

and Functions of the Cooperatives’ Sector

strengthened

Regional: Members of the Caribbean Association

of Regulators and Cooperative Societies (CASROC)

met in June 2014 in The Bahamas for discussions on

issues pertinent to efficient and effective regulation of

Cooperatives. Consensus was reached on the formation of

the Caribbean Network of Cooperative Regulators which

is envisioned to support sustainable development and job

creation through the monitoring of regulatory environments;

development and regulation of youth cooperatives;

capacity development regarding the International

Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); and the development

of policies and programmes for the effective regulation

of cooperatives. The ILO DWT-POS provided technical

support and The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda,

Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago

were among the countries represented.

The Bahamas: The capacity of 45 beneficiaries

from the Cooperative Department, youth entrepreneurs

and members of Credit Unions was strengthened in

entrepreneurship and the use of the Cooperative Model

as a viable alternative business option at a National

Workshop on Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives.

The Workshop, which was held from 03 – 05 October

2013, was facilitated by the ILO in response to a request

for support from the Commissioner of Cooperatives,

Government of The Bahamas.

In March 2012, the importance of food security

through sustainable linkages between agriculture and

business was the focus of an Agri-business Cooperative

Forum carried out by the Department of Cooperative

Development with the support of the ILO DWT-POS.

Barbados: Staff of the Cooperative

Division, Ministry of Commerce and Trade as well

as representatives of financial and non-financial

Cooperatives benefited from a three-day capacity

building intervention which focused on the role of

Cooperatives as a sustainable response to the challenge

of economic growth in Barbados. This training was held

in March 2013 and was the result of a request from

the Registrar of Cooperatives, consistent with Priority 3

of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for

Barbados. Topics included: ‘Cooperatives and the ILO’s

Decent Work Agenda’ and ‘Cooperatives and the

Financial Crisis’.

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Dominica: Tripartite constituents benefited from

capacity-building initiatives in both countries in July and

December 2012. The training focused on Cooperatives

and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the mission in

July 2012 also introduced a one day workshop on

productivity since the need to improve productivity was

highlighted by constituents as a major challenge. The

System for Measurement and Improvement of Productivity

(SYMAPRO) was introduced to reinforce the linkages

between productivity and decent work. The workshops

comprised of representatives from the private and

cooperative sectors, Cooperative Division of the Ministry

of Social Services, Community Development and Gender

Affairs and Public Service Trade Union. The activities were

all part of support provided during the International Year

of Cooperatives in 2012.

Grenada: Thirty-six participants were enabled

through tools and resources, to use the Cooperatives

Model as a means of job creation and the ‘Start and

Improve Your Business’ (SIYB) programme as a means of

self-employment. The Grenada Cooperative League for

technical support in entrepreneurial knowledge and the

management of Cooperatives and a five-day workshop

was designed and conducted from 11 – 15 March

2013.

Guyana: In 2012 ILO DWT-POS delivered a

presentation on ‘Productivity in the Context of the

Financial Crisis and Suggested Solutions’, in response to

a request for support from the Consultative Association of

Guyanese Industry Ltd (CAGI) in line with Priority 4 of the

DWCP for Guyana. As a follow-up to the presentation, a

Training Workshop on the ILO Productivity Tools, System

for Measurement and Improvement of Productivity

(SYMAPRO) and Sustaining Competitive and Responsible

Enterprises (SCORE) was conducted in October of the

same year.

Environment conducive to sustainable

enterprises evaluated

An Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises

(EESE) programme was implemented in Barbados over

the period 2011 – 2012.17 A complete work plan

and logical framework, endorsed by the government,

employers’ and workers’ organizations in Barbados, were

the main outputs of the EESE Programme. Subsequently,

the ILO’s SIYB Programme was implemented in February

2013 and a Steering Committee consisting of social

partners was established.

17 The EESE is based on the perspective that all enterprises

operate within a political, social and economic context and

are subject to regulatory and institutional constraints. http://

ilo.org/empent/units/boosting-employment-through-small-

enterprise-development/WCMS_169675/lang--en/index.htm

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Advocacy in favor of Multinational Enterprises

(MNEs) initiated in Jamaica

In response to a request from Jamaica for assistance with

employment creation and skills’ training programmes,

the ILO DWT-POS has designed and proposed an

intervention that creates productive and decent jobs

for youth and vulnerable groups in society through the

promotion of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles

concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy

(MNE Declaration). The MNE Declaration was adopted by

the ILO Governing Body (GB) in 1977 and offers guiding

principles on employment training, conditions of work

and industrial relations that encourage businesses to

contribute to the development objectives of the country

in which they are operating through a process of social

dialogue. Its principles are supported by international

labour conventions and recommendations.18

The work will focus primarily on MNEs in Jamaica’s tourism

and hotel industry given their potential (and that of their

value chains) for generating employment opportunities.

Major interventions will include: research to understand

the role of the MNEs in the hotel and tourism sector;

awareness-raising to promote the MNE Declaration

amongst constituents and key stakeholders; and high-

level policy and cross-sectoral tripartite-plus dialogue.

Skills and Training

Regional capacity to anticipate skills needs

reinforced

Skills development plays a crucial role in the productivity

and sustainability of enterprises, improvement of working

conditions and employability and the achievement

of decent work. However, Technical and Vocational

Education and Training (TVET) must first be relevant to

market needs. Anticipating skills demands facilitates

a reduction in skills gaps through needs analyses

that ensure a match between available training and

employment opportunities.19 The ILO DWT-POS and the

Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in

Vocational Training (CINTERFOR), with the support of the

Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the National

Industrial Training Service of Brazil (SENAI) organized a

workshop in May 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago. The

Workshop was the result of strengthened South-South

Cooperation through the 41st Technical Committee

Meeting of the ILO CINTERFOR held in Trinidad and

Tobago in July 2013. The specific focus of the Training

Workshop, entitled, “Anticipating Skills Requirements

in the Tourism Sector”, was ‘Occupational Trends’ and

‘Emerging Demands’. Fifteen participants from National

18 See http://www.ilo.org/empent/Publications/WCMS_094386/

lang--en/index.htm


Training Agencies and TVET councils in Barbados,

Belize, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,

Sint Maarten, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad

and Tobago benefited from the training and have

enhanced competencies in the use of methodologies

and tools for identifying technological, occupational and

organizational trends and their impacts on skills strategies

and vocational training programmes. The Workshop will

be followed by a 12-week virtual learning programme.

Capacity to implement entrepreneurial training

strengthened

The ILO DWT-POS received a request from the Board of

Industrial Training of Guyana to provide technical support

in entrepreneurial training. This request was in line with

Priority 2 of the DWCP for Guyana, “Enhancement of

Technical and Vocational Education and Training”.20 The

Workshop, conducted in August 2013, resulted in the

reinforced capacity of 25 trainers and Instructors.

In Saint Lucia, 35 representatives of TVET Councils and

National Centre for Persons with Disabilities were trained

to implement entrepreneurial skills in the training curricula

as an integral part of Technical Vocational and Education

programmes. The training was conducted in September

2013 and is in line with the Priorities of the DWCP for

Saint Lucia.

Knowledge generated on the labour market

impact of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification

(CVQ) and National Vocational Qualification

(NVQ)

In 2013 the ILO conducted a research study on the

Labour Market Impact of the CVQ/NVQ in Belize, Guyana

and Jamaica in order to determine: the hiring decisions

of employers related to applicants with the CVQ/NVQ;

effectiveness of the qualification framework; and the

employment outcomes of graduates. The CVQ is aimed

to facilitate the movement of certified skilled persons

within CARICOM member States as a component part of

the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

20 Decent Work Country Programme of Guyana, 2012 – 2015.

P. 53

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The Green Economy

Green Economy Jobs Network established

At its 37th Special Meeting in September 2011, on

Environment and Sustainable Development the Council

of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) endorsed the concept

note on “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable

Development Agenda through Green Economy

Policies”. The call for green economy transformation

has been echoed multiple times throughout the region.

It was agreed at the 2011 Meeting that the United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) would lead

the development of a Green Economy Initiative in the

Caribbean (CGEI) in collaboration with the CARICOM

Secretariat and its member states and with technical

inputs from relevant regional and international

organizations.

The first regional event under the CGEI entitled, “Green

Economy as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development

and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean” was held

in June 2013 in Saint Lucia. This high-level conference

provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas,

experiences and institutional innovations by bringing

together policy-makers, civil society, academia and

the private sector. It also enabled the creation of a

regional Green Economy Network as a platform for

sharing national experiences and further strengthening

intra-Caribbean and intra-SIDS cooperation. The ILO

weighed in on the discussions through a presentation

on the Green Jobs’ Programme.

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while supporting the country’s economy in accordance

with Priority 1 of the DWCP for Guyana.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy

(LCDS), launched in 2009 was one of three national

developmental frameworks which influenced the

development of its DWCP in 2012.21 Specific reference

is made to the LCDS under Priority 1, “the Creation of

Green Jobs and Decent Work”, which elaborates that

ILO’s support, “will take the form of policy and institutional

assessment and technical advice to identify potential

areas for investment, employment and enterprise

creation in a low-carbon economy”.22

Work on Green Jobs Policy initiated

The Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise

Development of Trinidad and Tobago with the support

of the ILO, commenced the formulation of a policy

on Green Jobs. “The ILO Green Jobs Programme

promotes a practical and coherent strategy that

recognizes a strong interdependence between the

need for social development and the urgency to act

on climate change”.23 The initiative by the Ministry of

Labour in Trinidad and Tobago was the result of a

tripartite technical and capacity-building seminar entitled

“Developing Policies and Programmes to Promote Green

Jobs and Green Enterprises”, held in Port of Spain in

May 2012.


P. 10


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23 See http://www.ilo.org/empent/units/green-jobs-programme/

land--en/index.htm

Dialogue on Green Jobs and Green Economy

advanced

Twenty-four participants benefited from discussions on

the promotion of Decent Work in the Green Economy;

analysis of relevant policy frameworks such as adaptation

and mitigation and their impact on the world of work;

appraisals of best practices in Green Jobs development

strategies and comparative reviews of Green Jobs

programmes and approaches in Peru and Guyana.

These discussions were held at a workshop entitled,

“Developing Policies and Programmes to Promote the

Green Economy and Green Jobs in Guyana” in June

2013 in Georgetown. The workshop was organized to

present a comprehensive overview of the multi-faceted

role of green jobs-creation in protecting the environment

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Social protection

and inclusionSocial Protection aims to diminish the exposure of the labour

market to risk as well as to promote the wellbeing of workers.

The ILO DWT-POS has supported interventions to address

issues related to social protection and inclusion in five

categories within the last two years:

1. HIV and AIDS

2. Occupational Safety and Health and Environment

3. Persons with Disabilities

4. Child Labour

5. Social Security

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HIGHLIGHTS

HIV and AIDSThe ILO has been the main provider of technical support

to Caribbean countries (both Members and non-

Members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean

States) in efforts to protect the rights at work of persons

living with HIV through work place policies and

programmes. Table 1 below, presents an outline of

national responses that have resulted from capacity-

building, training, sensitization and other forms of

intervention at multiple levels and across sectors in the

Caribbean.24

24 Section 6 of The Bahamas Employment Act, 2001 addresses

the issue of non-discrimination against persons living with HIV.

TABLE 1

Country Year National Response

Anguilla 2012 National Workplace Policy adopted

Aruba 2012 Draft National Workplace Policy developed

Antigua and Barbuda 2010

2013

Decent Work Country Programme Priority

Pilot Workplace Programme launched

Barbados Sustainability Plan developed

HIV Guidelines for the Public Sector Developed

Belize 2012 Revision of National Workplace Policy initiated

Dominica 2010

2012


Work on National Workplace Policy initiated

Guyana 2013 HIV and AIDS Workplace Regulations, 2001 completed and finalized

Grenada 2010

2013


Draft National Workplace Policy developed

Jamaica 2013 National Workplace Policy launched

Montserrat 2010

2014


MoU for Implementation of Montserrat Workplace Wellness Programme (which incorporates

HIV and AIDS) signed

Saint Kitts and Nevis 2010

2012

2013


National Workplace Policy adopted


Saint Lucia 2010 Decent Work Country Programme Priority

Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines

2010

2012

2013




Sint Maarten 2012

2013


MoU for Implementation of a Safe and Healthy Work Environment signed

Trinidad and Tobago 2008

2010


HIV/AIDS 5-Year Sustainability Plan launched

Capacity to implement a sustainable response

to HIV developed

Through a partnership with the HIV Caribbean Office of

the Pan American Health Organization (PHCO) the ILO

supported Aruba, Anguilla, Curacao, Montserrat, Saba

and Sint Maarten on a European Union Funded project

on “Strengthening the integration of the British and Dutch

Overseas Caribbean Territories (OCTs) in the Regional

Response to HIV/AIDS within the framework of the Pan

Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP)”.

From 2003 – 2008, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica

and Trinidad and Tobago were all beneficiaries of a

three-year workplace education project funded by the

United States Department of Labour (USDOL). From 2010,

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support was provided to the HIV and AIDS Advisory and

Sustainability Centre (HASC) in Trinidad and Tobago

which was put in place as a result of the USDOL project.

A three-year transitional plan to national ownership was

initiated in 2013 in Guyana.

Suriname was the recipient of a two-year workplace

education programme (2007 – 2009), funded by the

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Suriname Business Coalition on HIV and AIDSS was

an active participant in the project and adopted the ILO

processes, tools and materials to implement a robust

workplace response in member enterprises during the

project period.

Workers’ capacity to implement a sustainable

response to HIV reinforced

The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) in collaboration

with the ILO and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against

HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) successfully reinforced the

capacity of 97 trade unionists to implement workplace

programmes on HIV and AIDS in their workplaces during

2012. Seventeen Workers’ Organizations from twelve

CARICOM countries now have trained and equipped

leaders, industrial relations officers, focal points and peer

educators.

Occupational Safety and Health and

Environment

National and institutional capacity related

to workplace compliance with Occupational

Safety and Health and Environment (OSHE)

strengthened

One of the main roles of labour inspectors in the

Caribbean is to ensure and promote compliance on

OSH measures at workplaces in line with national

legislation. Two hundred and forty Safety and Health

Officers and Inspectors in the Caribbean are better

equipped, as a result of the ILO Programme on OSHE

in the Caribbean (OSHE Programme), to reinforce OSH

standards. Officials also benefited from expert training

on the use of Industrial Hygiene equipment to support

their work with occupational health hazards through a

training programme conducted in collaboration with the

University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica. The

OSHE Programme was implemented during the period

2011 – 2013.

Sector-specific management capacity in

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

strengthened

TABLE 2

Country Result by Sector

MINING

Guyana and

Suriname

In response to requests from Ministries of

Labour to improve safety and health in

the mining sector, two training workshops

specifically targeting small-scale mines were

conducted in November 2012 and April

2013. The ILO collaborated extensively on

technical assessments and consultations

(including field visits) prior to the workshops

in order to determine the levels of need.

Both workshops provided a forum to acquire

knowledge and skills specifically related to

OSH in mining as well as to identify current

problems and gaps at mining sites.

HOTEL/HOSPITALITY

Saint Lucia

and Sint

Maarten

In order to increase compliance with

OSH legislation, representatives from the

tripartite constituents in Saint Lucia and the

employers’ organization in Sint Maarten are

now equipped to conduct peer training on

OSH Risk Assessment in the Hotel/Hospitality

Industry. The training workshops were

conducted in both countries in May 2013.

In 2012 the ILO DWT-POS collaborated with

the Saint Lucia Employers’ Federation (SLEF) on

a three-day training workshop on OSH in the

Construction Sector.

CONSTRUCTION

Dominica Forty-one managers, engineers and safety

officers from member-organizations and

enterprises of the Dominica Employers’

Federation (DEF) benefited from a capacity-

building workshop on OSH Risk Assessment

in the Construction Industry. Apart from the

increased and improved competences,

this interactive initiative resulted in the

development of an Action Plan on OSH

Risk Assessment in each organization and

enterprise.

Systems approach to OSH in line with the

Promotional Framework for OSH Convention

(2006, No. 187) reinforced

One hundred and fifty stakeholders gained increased

awareness of the systems approach to OSH at a national

symposium in Jamaica, in April 2013 which focused on

the new OSH Bill.

A National OSH Profile was launched on 16 December

2013 in Jamaica. The ILO DWT-POS contributed to the

development of the OSH Profile through sensitization and

coordination of stakeholders and provision of technical

inputs.

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The National OSH Profile is one of the core tools for a

systems approach to OSH management in line with the

Promotional Framework for OSH Convention (No. 187)

and Recommendation (No. 197). It is considered by the

ILO as an essential first step to building a sound National

OSH Programme.25

Legal Framework for OSH strengthened

On 1 January 2013 Barbados proclaimed the Safety and

Health at Work Act.26 ILO provided support to the Ministry

of Labour and Social Security through advocacy and

public sensitization.

Occupational Safety and Health Bills have been drafted

in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica and Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines.

Preventative safety and health culture

developed among workers, employers,

communities and children

Significant investments have been made within the last

five years to raise the levels of awareness and to improve

the knowledge and competences of constituents on

Occupational Safety and Health and Environment. The

ILO continues to support the Caribbean in the annual 28

April observance of World Day for Safety and Health at

Work through the dissemination of promotional material,

technical support at symposia, seminars, conferences

and other interventions as well as awareness-raising

competitions and activities.

In Guyana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour,

Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry

of Education, safety and health programmes were

implemented in primary and secondary schools.

25 ILO: http://www.ilo.org/global/publications/magazines-and-

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26 The Safety and Health at Work Act was passed in Parliament in

2005

Persons with DisabilitiesAccording to the Economic Commission for Latin America

and the Caribbean (ECLAC), approximately 5% of

persons in Caribbean SIDS have a form of disability

and are more than half as likely as persons without

disabilities to be employed. ECLAC asserts that “although

governments support employment, self-employment and

sheltered employment are promoted in certain countries,

and where reasonable adaptations that contribute

to physical accessibility of the workplace exist, there is

clearly scope for increased employment of persons with

disability in both the public and private sector”.27

Increased opportunities for persons with

disabilities to access decent work

“Improved access to decent work for persons with

disabilities” is one of the priorities of the DWCP for Saint

Lucia.28 A Task Force to review the country’s national

policies on the employment of persons with disabilities

and to develop plans to implement the policies was

established in July 2012 as a consequence of ILO DWT-

POS’ support through capacity building interventions.

A similar outcome was achieved in Bermuda where,

following a 2011 amendment to the Human Rights Act

entitled, “Unreasonable Hardship”, it became necessary

to develop and implement strategies to employ persons

with disabilities.29 A request for technical support came

through the National Office for Seniors and the Physically

Challenged under the Ministry of Health and a two-day

capacity-building Workshop was conducted in June

2012. Additionally, a Task Force and Action Plan were

developed.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the ILO has provided technical

support and advice to the National Centre for Persons

with Disabilities (NCPD) since inception in 1964. In 2011,

support was provided through Workshop for NCPD

instructors on entrepreneurship with a specific focus on

self-employment. The subjects have since become a

part of the Centre’s core curriculum and implementation

has continued from 2012 to present. ILO DWT-POS is

currently collaborating with the NCPD to produce a

video in commemoration of their 50th Anniversary in

December 2014.

27 GOMES, C., The Case of Small Islands Developing States of the

Caribbean: The Challenge of Building Resilience. P18, ECLAC.

28 Established in 2010. (See Annex 1)

29 The legislation removes barriers to discrimination against

persons with disabilities in employment and establishes

processes for employers to hire persons with disabilities.

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Child Labour

National policies on child labour reinforced

A Communiqué outlining the commitment of tripartite

constituents to tackling the issue of child labour in

Guyana was signed in 2012. While the social partners

agreed to “ensure effective monitoring is in place

to embrace the fight against child labour in supply

chains” the Government specifically committed to the

“enforcement of national legislation and to facilitating

sufficient budgetary allocations”.

In Jamaica, a comprehensive review of all national

legislation in relation to Conventions No. 182 and

138 was undertaken. The Trade Union Confederation

developed and adopted a Child Labour Policy while

the employers’ organization and government drafted

policies. Child Labour was also included in national

policy frameworks like the National Education Policy

and the corporate plan and activities of the Poor Relief

Department thus ensuring policy coherence.30

30 ILO: Highlights of ILO’s work in the Caribbean. April 2010 to

June 2013. P.21

In February 2013, the ILO-European Union (EU) Tackling

Child Labour through Education (TACKLE) Project in

Jamaica launched a Handbook on Child Labour. The

publication supports the enhancement of the knowledge-

base on Child Labour by providing guidelines for

professionals who encounter instances of Child Labour in

the course of their work. A draft child labour policy was

drafted with the support of the Project while a number

of sectors were selected to pilot awareness-raising and

training in support of youth education programmes.

Additionally, a ‘Red Card for Child Labour’ campaign

was organized during the qualifying matches of the FIFA

World Cup of 2014.

Social Security

Awareness on issues related to the ILO

Recommendation concerning National Floors of

Social Protection, 2012 (R202) increased

The ILO delivered technical advisory services in May

2012 on Recommendation 202 on the occasion of

a seminar convened by the Caribbean Centre for

Money and Finance in Trinidad and Tobago.31 Global

developments in pension schemes; pension reforms in

the region; the sustainability of private pensions; social

security schemes after retirement and the governance of

pension funds were among the themes discussed at the

seminar entitled, “The Future of the Pension Industry in the

Caribbean”.

31 Geneva, 101st International Labour Conference session, 14

June 2012

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Formalization

of the informal economy

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Knowledge-base on informality strengthened

Three studies on the Formalization of the Informal

Economy were commissioned by the ILO in 2013 in

Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. In Saint

Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago the studies contribute

to the development of an applied research framework

that provides guidance to strengthen the capacity of

governments on the promotion of formalization through

a systematic analysis of existing data. Furthermore, the

studies provide an inventory of policies, strategies and

schemes that have been positively implemented across

the region.

A cross-sector comparative study was carried out in

Jamaica to identify the patterns of informality and to

analyze and systematize good practices in reducing

urban informal employment over the past decade.

Knowledge on the perceptions of the Informal

Economy generated and disseminated

In 2013 several surveys were conducted through the

Regional Specialist for Employers’ Activities in Lima, Peru to

determine the perception of the informal economy (which

included suggestions for policies and practices that could

assist enterprises in moving from the informal to formal

sector).32 Studies were completed in both Saint Lucia and

Suriname with the assistance of the Saint Lucia Employers’

Federation (SLEF) and Suriname Trade and Industry

Association (STIA).

A Regional Workshop entitled, “Informal Economy in

Latin America and the Caribbean: The Role of the

Formal Private Sector and Business Organizations”,

was convened from 24 – 25 April 2014, in Lima to

review the survey findings and to develop strategies for

formalization. The Caribbean perspective was articulated

through the participation of the SLEF and the Jamaica

Employers’ Federation (JEF).

As a follow-up to the survey in Saint Lucia it was

recognized that a barrier to moving from informality was

a lack of knowledge about how to establish a formal

business and thus, a workshop on SIYB was conducted in

July 2014 through SLEF.


June 2013. P.14

Skills in rural communities strengthened

In 2012, the Government of Guyana implemented the

Community Road Improvement Programme (CRIP) – a

job creation programme aimed at improving access

to markets, schools, health centres and social and

economic facilities within rural communities through road

improvement. The ILO DWT-POS supported the CRIP

through: training needs assessments, design and delivery

of a needs-based training programme; and post-training

assessment and technical advice.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Increased awareness and enhanced

knowledge of constituents and key

stakeholders about the ILO, the supervisory

mechanisms and its related obligations

(submission and reporting)

During the period under review the ILO DWT-POS

provided practical support to constituents in an effort to

address challenges in the submission of reports related

to the ratification of conventions. A number of Caribbean

countries requested technical assistance to enhance their

capacity to discharge their constitutional obligations and

subsequently, training interventions were specially tailored

to specific countries and executed. To date, workshops

have been undertaken in British Virgin Islands (November

2011), Guyana (May 2012), Sint Maarten (December

2012), Grenada (June 2013) and Barbados (October

2013). Over 100 constituents have received advisory

services and developed intra-Caribbean cooperation

provided by the Departments of Labour in Antigua and

Barbuda and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Subsequent to the Workshops there have been significant

improvements in the submission of reports in Grenada,

Barbados, British Virgin Islands and Sint Maarten. Work

was initiated in Guyana and ILO DWT-POS continues to

provide appropriate feedback and support as required.

Increased ratification of International Labour

Standards

The results of technical support and advocacy to

Caribbean constituents (through Gap Analyses,

seminars and conferences) in favour of the ratification of

Conventions over the past 2 years are outlined in Table

3 below:

Knowledge and awareness on Maritime Labour

Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) increased

Participants of tripartite workshops and awareness-raising

seminars that were conducted in April 2013 in Saint Kitts

and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago benefited from

increased awareness and enhanced knowledge on MLC

2006 and related global and regional developments.

High-level court professionals enabled to use

International Labour Law to enhance gender

equality when delivering labour justice at a

national level

In September 2013 thirty-two judges and magistrates

of Caribbean Courts responsible for labour and

industrial relations were advised on the best use of

International Labour Standards and gender equality

at the, ‘Subregional Gender Equality Workshop for

Judges of the Caribbean’. In June 2009 the ILC

adopted a Resolution on Gender Equality “…to support

the strengthening of labour inspection systems and

courts so that they are able to monitor more effectively

the application for key equality Conventions and

issues of sex discrimination at work”.33 In response

to this Resolution, the Bureau for Gender Equality in

collaboration with the ILO DWT-POS organized a

Workshop for Judges of the Caribbean. The Workshop

was held in Barbados and also covered issues such as:

The ILS System and Gender Equality

The Role of Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations in

promoting Gender Equality and non-Discrimination

Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value

Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic

Workers

HIV and AIDS and the World of Work: ILO

Recommendation 200

Employment Relationship, Contracts of Employment,

Termination of Employment and Gender Equality

Balancing Work and Family

33 See http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---

gender/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_187671.pdf

TABLE 3

Convention Ratified by Date

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Saint Kitts and Nevis 21 February 2012

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Barbados 20 June 2013

Domestic Workers’ Convention, 2011 Guyana 09 August 2013

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) Trinidad and Tobago 19 September 2013

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Belize 08 July 2014

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Capacity of legal professionals and Ministry of

Labour officials strengthened through training

in International Labour Standards

The technical capacity of twenty-five legal professionals

from the Caribbean was strengthened through the “Third

Caribbean Course on International Labour Standards

for Judges, Lawyers and Legal Educators”, which

was organized in collaboration with the International

Training Centre of the ILO in July 2012, Port of Spain.

The Course provided participants with in-depth insight

into the exhaustive use of ILS sources – the instruments

and machinery of the ILS system; the application of ILS

on freedom of association; and the right to collective

bargaining and equality in employment and occupation.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Social Dialogue

Tripartism and policy development promoted

at high-level Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

forum

Ministers responsible for labour, gender and social

development as well as Presidents of the Caribbean

Employers’ Confederation (CEC) and Caribbean Congress

of Labour (CCL) decided to institutionalize a ‘Regional

Social Dialogue Mechanism’ at the 26th Meeting of the

Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD)

CARICOM in Georgetown, Guyana in May 2014.

Thirteen countries and one Non-Metropolitan Territory

participated to discuss policy coherence through the

integration of labour and gender in the promotion and

advancement of the CARICOM Development Agenda.

The ILO’s approach to ensuring that countries have

accurate and up-to-date data to support labour market

expansion through policy development via efficient

Labour Market Information Systems was showcased.34

Mechanisms for labour dispute settlement

strengthened and revitalized

Subregional: The critical role of Labour Officers in

promoting and ensuring social peace and harmonious

industrial relations was one of the highlights of capacity-

building interventions in Saint Lucia (March 2012), Antigua

and Barbuda (December 2012), Trinidad and Tobago

(March and May 2013) and Grenada (August 2014).

The number of agreements reached in labour disputes

subsequent to the training has significantly increased.

Aruba: A new social dialogue mechanism was

established under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

In response to related requests for support, the ILO

conducted an audit of the social dialogue situation in

January 2012. Support was also provided in a high-

level seminar to shape and fine-tune the social dialogue

mechanism to address a number of economic and social

issues.

Belize: Twenty-seven employers have enhanced

their skills through participation in a workshop on Dispute

Avoidance and Resolution through Good Management

Practices held in June 2013. The focus of the Workshop

was developing better management practices and

enhancing mediation and negotiation skills to resolve

disputes arising at the enterprise.

Saint Lucia: Unanimous agreement was reached

at a National Tripartite Conference in February 2013,

facilitated by the ILO, to develop a national tripartite


June 2013. P.4

social dialogue mechanism. This new commitment to

cooperate helped to overcome long-standing collective

disputes in the public sector in spring 2013.

Trinidad and Tobago: In March 2014 a cadre of

employers enhanced their awareness and capacity in

the areas of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms

through participation in a conference on Landmark Court

Judgments convened by the ECATT.

In September 2012, twenty-one industrial court judges

benefited from a seminar on dispute resolution and

conciliation techniques where current national collective

bargaining issues were also discussed with ILO

representatives.

Approximately 200 participants (including Members of

Cabinet) participated in a two-day national Workshop

on the Social Dialogue process convened in June 2012.

The ILO provided technical input and facilitated South-

South Cooperation. As a consequence, the Government,

together with the social partners, established a Social

Dialogue Task Force in January 2014 to address major

economic and social issues of national interest. The ILO

continues to provide assistance to this high-level tripartite

committee.

Advancements made in the formalization of

social dialogue at the regional level

A proposal for the establishment of a Regional Tripartite

Forum was one of the major outcomes of the 54th Annual

General Meeting (AGM) of the Caribbean Employers’

Confederation (CEC) in Saint Lucia in May 2013. The

AGM focused on the progress in consolidating CEC’s

relationship with the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL)

as both regional organizations share a goal of increased

involvement in the workings of CARICOM. At the Eighth

Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour (July 2013) it

was agreed that the formalization and institutionalization

of social dialogue at national and regional levels

will enable more effective input to economic and

social policies at all levels.35This resulted in a call for

the institutionalization of a “regional Social Dialogue

Mechanism”.36

Decent Work Country Programme for the

Caribbean in progress

Significant progress has been made toward the

development of a DWCP by tripartite constituents in

Suriname. Among the expected DWCP outcomes to

which the constituents agreed during discussions held

in October 2013 are: strengthened sensitization and

increased awareness for the creation of an enabling

environment for the promotion of sustainable enterprises;

35 ILO: Conclusions – 8th Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of

Labour, July 2013. P3

36 COHSOD-CARICOM Meeting, May 2014

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ratification and application of ILO core Conventions

and the promotion of adherence to the fundamental

principles and rights at work; modernization of existing

labour legislation, and the introduction of new legislation;

development of a labour inspection strategy and

adoption of an action programme; operationalization of

the LMIS for the production of timely information on key

labour market indicators; the establishment of policies

to reduce informality based on increased knowledge

gained from a survey programme and other data

sources; and the timely conduct of wage surveys and

production of statistics. Discussions with the Ministry of

Labour and the social partners are ongoing, and it is

anticipated that the DWCP will be launched shortly.

National commitment to Decent Work Country

Programme (DWCP) reaffirmed

A review of the DWCP for Guyana was conducted

in 2014 and the full commitment of the Parliament

and social partners was established. Although work is

ongoing, progress has been noted in a number of areas:

1. Regular meetings of the Tripartite Forum have

been held to discuss labour-related matters;

recommendations arising from these meetings have

been adopted and submitted to Parliament for

consideration;

2. HIV/AIDS regulations have been tabled and

gazetted;37

3. Implementation of a national monthly minimum wage

(equivalent to USD170 as of July 2013);

4. Extension of the minimum wage to domestic workers;

5. OSH regulations related to mining, chemicals,

manufacturing and noise currently being finalized;

6. Ratification of Domestic Workers’ Convention, 2011

(No. 189);

7. Labour Law amendments which allowed for the

protection of security guards and domestic workers to

be protected by law for the first time;

8. Initiatives to continue the work that was initiated under

the TACKLE Project such as support to parents to

keep children in school as well as practical support

to training agencies to cater to children that have

dropped out of the formal school system.

Areas of future work were identified as: improving youth

employment rates, ensuring that robust and timely labour

statistics are available and increased enforcement of

labour legislation.

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Institutionalization of social dialogue in the

public utilities sector initiated

Senior managers of the Water and Sewerage Authority

(WASA) of Trinidad and Tobago participated in a

development session in January 2014 where, together

with the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro

Enterprise Development support was pledged for the

institutionalization of social dialogue. Subsequently,

the ILO DWT-POS in collaboration with the Germany

Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago organized a study tour

to two companies in Germany that have successfully

institutionalized social dialogue. WASA officials, as well

as WASA union members and national union leaders,

benefited from the opportunity to observe and learn

from models utilized by the German companies; to

examine the range of activities considered to be critical

to the improvement of management-labour relations;

to establish a format and framework for the operation

of social dialogue committees and subcommittees; to

identify appropriate organizational support systems for

the institutionalization of social dialogue at the enterprise

level, as well as issues that would be of concern to the

representative unions. As a follow up to these initiatives,

the Human Resources Division of WASA has established

a social dialogue committee consisting of management

and labour representatives. Policies and procedures

will be developed along with a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) which will guide and support

the institutionalization of the social dialogue process in

WASA. This initiative is to be seen in the overall context of

Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to promote better industrial

relations and social dialogue at all levels.

Employers’ Activities

Capacity of Employers to understand the role

of International Labour Standards in accessing

international markers increased

As the Caribbean continues to address the impact of

globalization it is important that countries are positioned

to make the link between emerging export market

requirements and the single market approach from

a labour standards perspective. It is envisioned that

engagement from employers in actively promoting core

labour standards in their business practices will contribute

to strengthening the Caribbean Single Market (CSM)

through meaningful engagements in international trade

negotiations and by understanding and maximizing the

benefits of the CARIFORUM-EPA Agreement.

Sixteen national workshops on the ‘Role of Labour

Standards in Accessing International Markets and

supporting the CSM’ were held in 2013. Over 370

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employers from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba,

The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican

Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and

Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and

Trinidad and Tobago benefited from timely exchanges.

The workshops collectively resulted in gaining the

consensus of employers regarding the urgency of work

to be done at the country level, to develop a list of

hazardous work (not to be performed by persons under

18 years of age) as well as an acceptable list of light

duties (that can be performed by persons from 13 years

to school-leaving age). Additionally, a consolidated list of

pertinent issues to be raised by the Caribbean Employers’

Confederation on behalf of employers’ organizations

in the region was formulated. It is useful to note that

although most workshops were organized by the

employers’ organizations, they were in fact, tripartite and

included the participation of government officials and

labour representatives - an excellent example of social

dialogue and tripartite cooperation in most Caribbean

countries.

Caribbean Employers’ Organizations

strengthened to respond to influence policy

development through effectively responding to

the needs of the business environment

Chief Executive Officers and Presidents of Employers’

Organizations from 19 Caribbean countries and Non-

Metropolitan Territories (NMTs) enhanced their capacity to

address issues related to management and leadership;

strategic positioning and partnership; corruption costs;

productivity and competitiveness; Enabling Environment

for Sustainable Enterprises (EESE); and the benefits of the

Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to the business

community. These themes were addressed at the Fourth

Caribbean Academy for Management of Employers’

Organizations (CAMEO IV), held in Antigua and Barbuda

in August 2013. The CAMEO mirrors the Latin American

Institute for the Management of Employers’ Organizations

(ILGO) which has been successfully conducted in Spanish

since 1985.

Employers’ supported to engage more effectively in the

social dialogue process through increased and improved

representation

The Bahamas: The National Conclave of the

Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’

Confederation (BCCEC) met in April 2014 and a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed

between the BCCEC and all Family Island Chambers

in support of the goal of full representation of business

interests in The Bahamas. The ILO supported the

employers by advocating for full engagement in the

social dialogue process through clear communication

channels and active participation of all members.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: A clear set of

recommendations for implementation was the result of

an organizational review of the Saint Vincent Employers’

Federation (SVEF) conducted in May 2013.

Capacity of entrepreneurs and micro

businesses strengthened

Thirty-five individual and potential members of the

Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce (CICC) benefited

from technical support in formalizing their business

operations through training on starting a business, skills

and attitudes necessary for successful entrepreneurship,

steps in developing a business plan, marketing plan and

financial planning. The two-day training workshop was

organized by the CICC in August 2014.

Strategies to deliver improved services and

increase membership of women entrepreneurs

developed

Representatives from Employers’ Organizations and

associations of Women Entrepreneurs from twelve

Caribbean Countries developed strategies to deliver

services and attract and retain women entrepreneurs as

members of Employers’ Organizations in October 2013.

The Sub-Regional Workshop entitled, “How to Reach

Out”, was held in Jamaica. The ILO DWT-POS provided

specific support in the area of Service Development and

Delivery.

Negotiation and mediation capacity of

Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations

reinforced

Trinidad and Tobago: Members of the Employers’

Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECATT)

and the National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and

Tobago (NATUC) increased their competences in the

areas of negotiation and mediation in March and May

2013 respectively.

Antigua and Barbuda: Members of the Antigua

and Barbuda Employers’ Federation (ABEF) increased their

negotiation and mediation competences in July 2013.

Additionally, the ABEF developed a new mission and

vision statement and eight strategic goals.

Grenada: Members of the Grenada Employers’

Federation (GEF) benefited from a workshop on

negotiation and mediation in August 2014.

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Workers’ Activities

Capacity of Caribbean Domestic Workers’

Network (CDWN) Steering Committee

members strengthened

The ILO supported the CDWN Steering Committee in

capacity building related to the responsibilities of non-

profit boards and conducting effective meetings in Guyana

from 6 – 7 July 2013. Since 2011, the CDWN has been

advocating on behalf of domestic workers regionally. An

information service, under the umbrella of Red Thread

(a ‘grassroots’ women’s organization in Guyana) was

established in Guyana. The service is called the, ‘Clotil and

Cora Self-Help Information Service’ for domestic workers;

a domestic workers’ section in the Antigua Trades and

Labour Union (ATLU) was formed; there have also been

significant increases in the number of organized domestic

workers. The Network, through its Jamaican affiliate, the

Jamaica Household Workers’ Union (JHWU) has been

working with the national training agency in Jamaica (Heart

Trust-NTA) to secure the establishment of a programme

of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) for domestic

workers so that more workers may take advantage of the

free movement regime under the Caribbean Single Market

and Economy (CSME).

Priority areas and principal strategies of

the Caribbean Domestic Workers’ Network

(CDWN) established

Steering Committee Members of the CDWN benefited

from practical training in strategic planning and public

speaking in September 2013 in Antigua and Barbuda.

The training resulted in the development of a CDWN

Mission Statement – “We advocate for decent work and

human rights for domestic workers” and Vision – “By the year

2020, CDWN will be recognized as the leading regional

advocate for decent work for domestic workers and other

low-wage workers”. There was also consensus on areas of

priority as well as strategies for implementing their work.

Gap Analysis findings disseminated

The findings of a report on the gap between legislation

and Convention 189 in six CARICOM countries (Antigua

and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint

Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago) were disseminated in

a December 2013 workshop in Barbados. The study

provides the CDWN with a platform for advocacy for the

ratification of the ILO Convention as well as for their work

in improving the working conditions of domestic workers

in the region. With the support of the ILO the CDWN

also commissioned a study to determine the profile of

the women in Guyana who are domestic workers. The

information generated by the study will facilitate an

evidence-based approach to organizing and designing

programmes as well as the development of informational

material targeting these women.

Strategies and issues to accelerate the

ratification of Convention 189 identified

Members of the CDWN identified issues and strategies

to tackle the ratification of the Convention concerning

Decent Work for Domestic Workers (C189) in Barbados

between 29 November and 02 December 2013.

Leadership capacity and understanding of

gender issues strengthened among women

and young workers

Young workers and women workers were the beneficiaries

of leadership training which focused on gender. In

addition to areas such as leadership skills, effective

communication and building alliances, the participants

examined power and assertion, the gender dimensions

of leadership, gender bargaining and activism for gender

equality as well as of the relevant international labour

standards. These training workshops were held in October

and November 2013 to provide a platform for greater

participation of young persons and women in union

leadership at the Barbados. Both workshops led to the

development of action plans by the two groups.

Training on child labour and trade union policy

developed

In 2011, child labour training was run with affiliates of the

Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU). Out of

this training, the JCTU developed and adopted a child

labour policy. The participants from each of JCTU affiliates

drafted mini action programmes to be undertaken

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by each affiliated union and which was to be funded

by through the EU-ILO Tackling Child Labour through

Education Programme (TACKLE). The sensitization carried

out by the Jamaica Household Workers Union at the

community level resulted in one rural community starting

a Grab a Child project which would continue to raise

awareness, promote parents literacy and form support

groups for families whose children are at risk.

Media strategy and campaign developed

National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas

developed a media strategy and campaign to raise

awareness of the roles and responsibilities of trade

unions with a view to building a positive image of the

union movement and raising awareness about unions.

Trade Union leadership skills strengthened

The National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas

brought together shop stewards and officers in two

workshops to enhance their leadership skills and the

institutional capacity of their unions. The participants were

able to assess the challenges confronting trade unions

and what was required to address these challenges;

they also looked at topics such as examining strategies

for recruitment, retention and succession planning as well

as how to maintain the trade union as a democratic

organization.

Trade union policies and plans of action on

occupational safety and health developed and

published

In 2011, Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU)

and the Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association

(ABPSA) with the support of the Office developed a joint

trade union policy on occupation safety and health which

also included provisions of dealing with HIV and AIDS in

the workplace. After the policy was ratified both unions’

highest decision-making body, a series of workshops

were held to train shop stewards on the policy and

develop strategies for the effective implementation of the

policy at the workplace.

Later in 2012, the shop stewards and OSH officers of the

Grenada Trades Union Council (GTUC) examined the

international labour standards related to occupational

safety and health, in particular C.155 and C.161.

Based on these Conventions, the GTUC drafted a trade

union policy on occupational safety and health and a

plan of action for raising OSH awareness amongst its

membership.

Institutional capacity of workers bolstered

through the development of a Strategic Plan

The institutional capacity of the Antigua and Barbuda

Workers’ Union (ABWU) was reinforced with the

development of a five-year Strategic Plan (covering

the period 2013 – 2018). The plan supports the

goal of modernizing the ABWU and developing

effective communication and partnerships in its efforts

to serve its members and working people. A review

of the Constitution is one of the initial activities to be

implemented under the Strategic Plan.

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Policy coherence

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Policy coherence promoted through Social

Dialogue

The role of effective social dialogue in harmonizing the

agendas of both OSH and productivity was the focus of

the “Sub-regional Tripartite Meeting on OSH, Productivity

and Social Dialogue”, October 2012. The Meeting

also benefited from South-South Cooperation through

exchanges from tripartite delegations from Singapore

and Mauritius and ended with a strong call to strengthen

social dialogue in the Caribbean region.

Dialogue on Gender-equality and non-

discrimination at work strengthened through

active participation in multi-stakeholder fora

The ILO DWT-POS contributed to dialogue on the

empowerment of women and sexual harassment in the

workplace at a Seminar on Gender-Based Violence

organized by the Embassy of Chile and the United

Nations (UN) System of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of

Spain, October 2013. The Seminar was designed to

sensitize key stakeholders to issues of gender-based

violence through exchanges. The ILO DWT-POS was

invited to the Seminar as a member of the UN Gender

Theme Group in Trinidad and Tobago.

In November 2013 the Institute for Gender and

Development Studies (IGDS) commemorated its 20th

Anniversary with a regional symposium, “Continuities,

Challenges and Transformations in Caribbean Gender

Relations” at the University of the West Indies, St.

Augustine Campus. The need for continued dialogue and

technical support in two specific areas was established:

1. issues related to the gender gap in employment in

the Caribbean Tourism and Hospitality sector; and 2.

support in the development of gender-sensitive policies

for women in the small-scale farming sector.

Productivity and inclusive economic growth

supported

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are a mechanism whereby

public and private interests can jointly address the

challenges of promoting greater productivity and more

inclusive economies. In November 2013, the Caribbean

Development Bank (CDB) organized a “Forum on PPP for

Sustainable Growth in the Caribbean” in Barbados in

collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank

(IADB), Multilateral Investment Funds, the Public-Private

Infrastructure Advisory Facility and the World Bank Group.

Technical assistance from the ILO is envisioned in the area

of support to the government in the development and

implementation of PPP projects to support job creation,

employment policy, skills development and working

conditions including safety and health at work.

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ANNEX 1- CARIBBEAN DECENT WORK COUNTRY PROGRAMMES

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