PORT OF SPAIN (ILO News) - On 5 January 2015, the Hon. Michael Miskin, Minister of Labour, Technological Development and Environment of the Republic of Suriname, representatives from the Council of Trade Federations in Suriname (RAVAKSUR), Mr. Ferdinand Welzijn, Chairman of the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB), and Mr. Giovanni di Cola, Director of the ILO Decent Work Country Team and Office for the Caribbean, signed the Decent Work Country Programme 2014-2016.

L to R: Director, ILO DWT-O, Giovanni di Cola, and Minister of Labour, Michael Miskin, signing the DWCP

Tripartite constituents in Suriname have been developing the Decent Work Country Programme with tripartite constituents and other stakeholders since 2013, with assistance from the ILO Decent Work Team for the Caribbean. The draft Decent Work Country Programme was approved on 2 October 2014.

The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) includes the national priorities of Suriname, and its goals are divided into three main areas:

• Social, economic and environmental programs;
• Legislation, policy, budget and strategies;
• Data collection and the establishment of a information system.

At the signing ceremony, Minister Miskin stated that "The Decent Work Agenda is an initiative of the International Labour Organization to improve working conditions for workers globally. The Decent Work Agenda means that employment is created with an acceptable wage, workers' rights, safe working conditions, social security, development opportunities and equal treatment for men and women are guaranteed."

Decent Work Country Programmes have been established as the main vehicle for delivery of ILO support to member States. The Programme in Suriname will include the:

• The 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; strengthening of labour inspection;
• Operationalization of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) for the production of timely information on key labour market indicators;
• Establishment of policies to reduce informality;
• Strengthening of social dialogue; and
• Timely conduct of wage surveys and production of statistics.

Minister Miskin noted that work has already started on the Decent Work Country Programme and the Minimum Hourly Wage Act took effect on 1 January 2015.

"I hope for a fruitful cooperation between our organizations to achieve the stated priorities and goals in the stipulated period", said Minister Miskin.

Giovanni Di Cola, Director, ILO Decent Work Country Team and Office for the Caribbean, indicated that Suriname was the twelfth member State in the Caribbean to sign on to the DWCP. The priorities selected therein were linked to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Suriname.He praised the leadership of the Minister of Labour, Technological Development and Environment, and of the social partners at various ILO meetings both at the level of the sub-region and internationally, in particular in Lima (18th American Regional Meeting) and in Geneva (International Labour Conference).