All news: Americas + Caribbean

Second World Summit for Social Development

“Let us renew the promise to promote decent work and social inclusion”

On the eve of the Second World Summit on Social Development, to be held in Doha, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, calls for joint efforts to renew the commitment made thirty years ago to reduce poverty,...

Just transition

Leading the change: Caribbean employers, workers, and governments driving just transition through social dialogue

The ILO successfully concluded a regional capacity-building programme funded by the German Government, which involved government, employer, and worker representatives from thirteen Caribbean countries. It aimed to strengthen the ability of social...

Skills for the future of work

Bridging education and work: ILO advances future-ready skills at Grenada’s National Summit

The ILO joined national leaders and partners at Grenada’s National Education Summit to champion future-ready skills, highlight the role of educators in a transforming labour market, and advance stronger links between education and decent work.

Child labour

Latin America and the Caribbean consolidate their regional roadmap to accelerate the eradication of child labour

Representatives of governments, employers and workers from 31 countries agreed on the strategic basis for the IV Strategic Plan 2026–2030 of the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour, which defines the regional...

Second World Summit for Social Development

ILO calls for a new multilateralism rooted in decent work and social justice

The ILO will bring its tripartite vision to the Second World Summit for Social Development to ensure that global commitments on poverty reduction, employment and social protection translate into real progress for people.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Youth driving change: Skills development and decent work to break the poverty cycle

To mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the ILO shares the stories of Patricia (Peru) and Fátima (Mexico), two young women who show how skills development and decent work can break the cycle of poverty.

Institutional change

ILO strengthens Caribbean presence: Haiti joins the ILO Caribbean Office

Effective 1 January 2026, responsibility for Haiti will shift from the ILO Central America office in San Jose to the ILO Office for the Caribbean in Port of Spain as part of strategic realignment to enhance support for Haiti.

Skills development

Jamaican employers champion skills policy reform to future-proof the country's workforce

With the support of the ILO, Jamaican employers are leading national efforts to align education and training with labour market needs through data-driven advocacy and strategic partnerships.

CLEAR Supply Chains project

Occupational Health and Safety: A key strategy to prevent child labour

A new ILO-led initiative is empowering Honduran coffee communities to tackle child labour at its roots, by making workplaces safer for adults and building hope for the next generation.

Social Dialogue

First summer school on Social Dialogue explores industrial relations and due diligence

Over 60 participants joined the first summer school to exchange perspectives on the future of social dialogue, industrial relations and human rights due diligence.

ILO Director-General’s closing remarks to the 20th American Regional Meeting

#AMR2025

20th ILO American Regional Meeting concludes with adoption of the Punta Cana Declaration

Tripartite declaration sets out shared priorities to promote social justice, decent work, and inclusive and sustainable development across the Americas.

Agricultural development

Suriname advances sustainable agriculture with launch of 'Collateral Facility.'

Suriname has taken a major step toward sustainable agriculture and decent work with the launch of the Collateral Facility, an innovative financing mechanism that empowers pineapple farmers including those in indigenous and tribal communities.

#ARM2025

The International Labour Organization and Brazil mark milestone in fight against forced labour at American Regional Meeting

Ceremonial highlight in the Dominican Republic follows Brazil’s formal ratification of the Forced Labour Protocol earlier this year.

#AMR2025

ILO’s 20th American Regional Meeting opens with renewed commitment to social justice, and to inclusive and sustainable development

Government, employer and worker representatives from across the Americas gather in the Dominican Republic to address key issues for the world of work.

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO Rural Development Academy 2025 highlights social and solidarity economy approaches

The 2025 ILO Academy on Rural Development held a session on the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The participants explored how the SSE can advance decent work and inclusive rural development through global perspectives and country experiences...

ILO Director-General’s opening statement to the 20th American Regional Meeting

Migration

ILO supports next steps as CARICOM advances toward a Regional Migration Policy Framework

The CRMPF, anchored in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and aligned with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, has been informed by extensive consultations across Member States, civil society, and development partners.

EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project initiative

PROSPER Project advances stakeholder engagement and capacity building

Through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and training sessions in September 2025, the EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project reinforced community partnerships and local economic development in Belize.

Gender equality in the world of work

The missing half: transforming women’s work in the Caribbean through gender-responsive employment policies

Despite some progress, Caribbean women still face significant barriers to equal participation in the labour market, including low employment rates, informal work, wage gaps, and inadequate social protections. The ILO calls for countries to pursue...