Caribbean Labour Ministers unite to shape the future of work

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (ILO News) – In a powerful show of regional solidarity, Labour Ministers and their senior officials, along with senior representatives from the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), gathered in Georgetown, Guyana, for the 13th Caribbean Labour Ministers Meeting. Held from 6 to 7 April 2025 under the theme “Decent work for resilience: Securing the future of Caribbean labour,” the two-day event focused on strengthening regional cooperation, advancing decent work, and improving labour governance amid global and regional challenges.

The meeting opened on 6 April with senior officials of Ministries with responsibility for Labour in the Caribbean meeting alongside senior representatives of the CEC and CCL to agree on core areas of focus for the ministerial deliberation. Topics included preparations for the 113th International Labour Conference, biological hazards, labour standards, social protection, skills development, and transitions to greener economies. Officials also tackled pressing issues such as informal employment, labour migration, and the expanding platform economy.

The official opening on 7 April featured remarks from the Honourable Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour of Guyana; Honourable Daren Pinard, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO; and the Honourable Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips, Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. All emphasized the importance of working together to address shared labour challenges across the region.

During his address, the ILO Director-General stated, “This is a critical moment that calls for a renewed commitment to the core values that inspired the creation of the ILO. Justice, humanity, and peace should guide us as we work towards a new social contract – one based on social justice, equitable economic growth, solidarity, and environmental protection.”

© ILO Caribbean Office

© ILO Caribbean Office

A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of Guyana’s third Decent Work Country Programme – reaffirming the country’s commitment to decent work and inclusive growth while laying a stronger foundation for quality employment nationwide.

Following the signing, Ministers held a strategic dialogue with the ILO Director-General on aligning regional priorities with the ILO's Programme and Budget for 2026–2027. The conversation also explored how Caribbean countries can contribute to the upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development and broader UN development efforts.

The region’s digital transformation emerged as a key focus, particularly in the context of the upcoming ILC’s standard-setting agenda item on the platform economy highlighting the need to protect workers’ rights in evolving digital labour markets. Presentations from the ILO Caribbean Office revealed persistent data gaps that could hinder effective policy development in this area.

Ministers also raised concerns about financial sustainability, especially the impact of reduced U.S. contributions to the ILO and the end of several development projects. There was a unified call for stronger regional coordination and greater global representation for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The meeting also benefited from the active participation of the CEC and CCL, reinforcing the ILO’s tripartite model and ensuring that the voices of workers and employers were fully represented in the discussions.

As the meeting closed, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting decent work, inclusive labour policies, and deeper collaboration with the ILO – placing Caribbean people at the heart of a resilient and sustainable future.