The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the International Labour Organization sign Memorandum of Understanding

The (OECS) Secretariat and the ILO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on labour market issues to support national development efforts and the integration process within the OECS Economic Union.

News | 16 September 2008
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat and the International Labour Organization have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on labour market issues to support national development efforts and the integration process within the OECS Economic Union. The MOU was signed on 20 August 2008. The MOU formalizes ongoing and future collaborative initiatives, projects and programmes between the OECS Secretariat and the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean, based in Trinidad and Tobago.

Having signed the MOU, the OECS Secretariat and the ILO’s Subregional Office for the Caribbean are collaborating in the first instance, on the design and implementation of a Labour Market Information (LMI) strategy and system to facilitate deeper integration among the peoples of the region, specifically the provision for the free movement of (individual and legal) persons within the OECS Economic Union. The LMI system is being designed to provide information to businesses and people on the availability of skills and employment opportunities that may both influence the movement of labour in the sub-region. The labour market information is also intended to be used in social, macro-economic, labour and employment analysis and policies throughout the sub-region.

Each OECS Member country is working on a three-year Labour Market Information Plan that aims at establishing or strengthening Labour Market Information systems in the OECS in order to involve all stakeholders in the planning process, avoid duplication, promote collaboration, ensure the availability of funding, maximise the return on investment in these systems and promote continuity.

A source from the OECS Secretariat says dialogue is ongoing on establishing and strengthening the necessary infrastructure, human capability and public information channels as the foundation for an effective Labour Market Information system. A planned approach to developing Labour Market Information in the sub-region will facilitate the harmonization of systems, methodologies and output, and improve the effectiveness and impact of technical and other support provided to OECS Member States.