Background

As the COVID-19 crisis wreaks havoc on micro, small and even some medium and big-sized businesses, the ILO Office for the Caribbean is pleased to collaborate with the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL) to organize a regional clinic discussion.

Selected entrepreneurs from different countries and sectors will share perspectives on how micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Caribbean are faring during the pandemic. They will also discuss their main challenges, as well as possible solutions with peers and the general audience. The results of the discussion will contribute to inform future ILO policy recommendations. In particular they will also feed into the ILO’s #ResilientWithDecentWork / #Nocontagiemoselempleo virtual round table series on May 13, which is dedicated to MSMEs and policy responses.

Description

The clinic will begin with an opening from the CoESL and the ILO Office for the Caribbean to introduce framework recommendations to cope with the current crisis. Five MSME entrepreneurs will then share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on actual and day-to-day operational challenges. A panel discussion, led by CoESL, will elaborate on and illustrate potential solutions, policy priorities and follow up interventions, while the audience will be allowed to intervene with questions and experience-sharing via a moderated debate.

Date and time

7 May 2020 @ 11.00 am Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT)

How to attend?

The event will take place via Zoom technology. You must pre-register to receive an invitation to attend.
 
The Zoom meeting room will open at 10.00 am (ECT) on 7th, one hour before the event starts, so that participants can join and iron out any connectivity issues.

Participants will be able to post their questions and comments to the panelists via CHAT option only (microphones will be disabled).