Social Dialogue and Labour Relations in Latin America and the Caribbean

This report is the first outcome of the Regional Initiative for Strengthening Social Dialogue and Collective Labour Relations (IRDS), created to respond to the challenges of social dialogue in the region. It reflects the commitment of governments, employers' and workers' organizations to building a more democratic, equitable, and productive world of work, based on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The document provides an overview of the current state of social dialogue in Latin America and the Caribbean, reviewing the different types of tripartite bodies, mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of labour disputes, and the practice of collective bargaining in the public and private sectors. It also includes examples of national and regional good practices that serve as a reference for strengthening labour relations.

The publication is organized into five chapters:

• History and evolution of social dialogue and tripartism in the region, in relation to international labour standards (ILS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The role of the ILO supervisory system in promoting regional social dialogue.
• The creation and functioning of national tripartite bodies for the prevention and resolution of labour disputes, as well as the challenges to their sustainability.
• The impact of social dialogue in key areas such as participatory democracy, gender equality, occupational safety and health, vocational training, and crisis management.
• The conditions necessary to consolidate institutionalized and sustainable social dialogue in the region.

Download the executive summary of the publication here.