Grenada validates new country programme to advance decent work

GRANDE ANSE, Grenada (ILO News) – Government officials, workers' representatives, and employers in Grenada gathered in St George's from 17 to 19 March 2026 to validate the country's first Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2026–2031 - a tripartite-agreed framework to guide national efforts to create more and better jobs, strengthen labour rights, and expand social protection for all residents.

Tripartite dialogue at the centre

The three-day Stakeholder Validation Workshop, held at the Grenada Trade Centre Annex, brought together the country's principal labour market actors to scrutinize, debate, and refine the draft programme. There was active participation from officials across various Ministries and government agencies, the Grenada Trade Union Council and the Grenada Employers’ Federation. The working sessions ran in hybrid modality, enabling specialists from the ILO Decent Work Team for the Caribbean to provide real-time technical support during both working group sessions and plenary discussions across all three days. By the closing session, there was evidence of clear understanding and consensus-building across all three constituent groups. Senator the Honourable Claudette Joseph, Minister of Labour, reminded participants that “the strength of our tripartite system– our ability to sit together, debate, agree, disagree, and ultimately move the nation forward– rests on our commitment and good faith.”

A shared vision for decent work

The DWCP is the main framework through which the ILO supports its Member States in advancing decent work, social justice and sustainable development. In Grenada, almost one year after the process was launched in March 2025, and diagnostic phases were concluded in December 2025, the validation workshop marked a key step in ensuring that the final programme reflects national priorities and responds to the realities of workers and enterprises.

Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Caribbean Office, underscored the importance of this collaborative approach. “The Decent Work Country Programme is most effective when it is owned by national stakeholders. The validation process ensures that the priorities identified are both relevant and achievable, and that there is clear consensus among the Constituents, which becomes a powerful engine for advancing decent work in Grenada,” Musabayana said.

Speaking on behalf of the Grenada employers at the official opening, Ms. Abena Peters shared that the Decent Work Country Programme is seen as an important opportunity to align labour policies with the realities of business. This would contribute to creating an enabling environment where enterprises can grow, remain competitive and generate quality jobs.

Echoing the importance of social dialogue as a fundamental principle and methodology for developing and implementing the national programme, Sen. Andre Lewis also applauded the validation of this programme as an important milestone but cautioned participants that the real work begins with implementation. Likewise, the trade union movement remains committed to ensuring that the agreed priorities translate into tangible benefits for workers across Grenada.

From strategy to impact

For the Government of Grenada, the DWCP represents a strategic tool to address labour market challenges while supporting broader national development goals. Labour Commissioner Sparkle Grenade expressed her optimism and certainty that the DWCP would be a critical instrument for the work of the Government, guiding coordinated action to promote employment, strengthen labour institutions and expand protections for workers, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Furthermore, by linking national priorities with the Decent Work Agenda, the programme supports overall sustainable economic growth, social inclusion and resilience for Grenada and its citizens.

A foundation for the years ahead

The validated programme will now move toward formal adoption. Once adopted, the DWCP will serve as the principal framework guiding collaboration between the Government of Grenada, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and the ILO, across priority areas that span labour market governance and data systems, employment promotion and skills development, labour inspection and compliance, social dialogue, and collective bargaining.

As Grenada continues to navigate economic and social changes, the ILO Caribbean Office will continue to work alongside tripartite constituents, providing targeted technical assistance to ensure the programme translates into tangible improvements in the working lives of Grenadians.