Agreement between the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and
the Caribbean Community NB

The International Labour Organisation (hereinafter referred to as "ILO") and the Caribbean Community (hereinafter referred to as "CARICOM")

Considering that ILO is a universal organisation which attaches the greatest importance to the maintenance and advancement in the social and labour field of world standards based on the principles set forth in its Constitution and in the Declaration of Philadelphia, and while cooperating with the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security remains outside political controversy between nations or groups of nations and is at the disposal of all its Member Nations to co-operate with them either severally or through regional organisations of which they are members in implementing, in the light of the standards evolved through the Organisation, the objectives for which the ILO exists,

Considering that CARICOM was established by a Treaty of International Public Law subscribed to by the Governments of Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago for integration of efforts in economic matters, co-ordination of foreign policies and functional co-operation in a list of areas including labour administration and industrial relations and social security,

Recognising that CARICOM is called upon to deal, at sub-regional level, with problems and activities that are in harmony with activities and programmes pursued on a world scale by ILO,

Recognising that the Members of CARICOM share a common determination to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of their peoples for full employment and improved standards of work and living and that the objectives for which the Community was founded in the Treaty of Chaguaramas include the promotion of greater understanding among its peoples and the advancement of their social, cultural and technological development,

Desirous of contributing within the general framework of the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitution of ILO and the Treaty establishing CARICOM, to the effective accomplishment of their common aims;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I
Co-operation

1. ILO and CARICOM agree to co-operate with each other through the appropriate organs of ILO, and CARICOM.

2. This co-operation shall extend to all matters arising in the spheres of labour, social policy and related matters of mutual interest to ILO and CARICOM.

ARTICLE II
Mutual Consultation

1. ILO and CARICOM shall consult regularly on the matters of common interest referred to in Article I for the purposes of realising their objectives in the social and economic fields and avoiding unnecessary duplication of functions.

2. ILO and CARICOM shall keep each other informed of the development of their respective activities with regard to social questions of interest to the Member States of CARICOM. Each organisation shall consider any observations concerning the development of these activities which may be communicated to it by the other organisation with a view to achieving effective coordination between the two organisations.

ARTICLE III
Reciprocal Representation

1. ILO shall invite CARICOM to be represented at relevant meetings of the International Labour Organisation which are of interest to CARICOM, and to participate at such meetings, without the right to vote, in discussions on subjects which are within the competence of CARICOM.

2. CARICOM shall invite the ILO to be represented at relevant meetings of CARICOM which are of interest to ILO, and to participate at such meetings, without the right to vote, in discussions on subjects which are within the competence of ILO.

ARTICLE IV
Exchange of Information and Documents

1. Subject to such measures as may be necessary to safeguard the confidential character of certain documents, ILO and CARICOM shall arrange the fullest exchanges of information and documents concerning matters of common interest.

2. ILO and CARICOM shall inform each other of developments in their respective activities which are of mutual interest.

3. ILO and CARICOM shall co-operate in the collection, analysis, publication and diffusion of statistical information with a view to avoiding undesirable duplication, enhancing the effectiveness of their statistical activities and minimising the burden on the governments or organisations from which information is collected.

ARTICLE V
Operational Activities

1. CARICOM may request ILO to act as executing agency for operational technical cooperation activities undertaken by CARICOM in areas within the competence of ILO.

2. ILO shall give prompt consideration to any requests of CARICOM to execute or participate in the execution of operational projects of CARICOM.

3. ILO shall execute projects on behalf of CARICOM under terms and conditions to be agreed upon between the two organisations.

ARTICLE VI
Administrative Arrangements

1. The Director-General of ILO and the Secretary-General of CARICOM shall make appropriate administrative arrangements for the effective implementation of this Agreement. They shall ensure co-operation and close liaison between the staff of the two organisations in respect of matters of mutual concern.

2. The Director-General of ILO and the Secretary-General of CARICOM may, for purposes of the application of the present Agreement, enter into such supplementary arrangements as may be necessary.

ARTICLE VII
Entry into Force, Amendment and Duration

1. This Agreement shall come into force as soon as it has been signed by the Director-General of ILO and the Secretary-General of CARICOM on behalf of their respective organisations.

2. This Agreement may be amended with the consent of both parties.

3. This Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent or may be denounced by either party giving the other party six months' notice in writing. Notwithstanding the expiry of the notice of termination, the parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force to the extent necessary to promote the orderly conclusion of any activity undertaken pursuant to Article V above.

In faith whereof, the Director-General of the International Labour Office duly authorised by the Governing Body and the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community Secretariat duly authorised by the Conference of Heads of Governments have signed this Agreement in duplicate in the English language.

Dominica, 13 May 1982.

For the International Labour Organisation:
(Signed) Francis BLANCHARD,
Director-General of the International Labour Office

For the Caribbean Community:
(Signed) Kurleigh KING,
Secretary-General,
Caribbean Community Secretariat

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Date of signature: 13 May 1982
Date of entry into force: 13 May 1982
Published in: Official Bulletin of the ILO, Vol. LXV, 1982, Series A, No. 3

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NB. In 2000, an amendment to this agreement was concluded.