ILO Caribbean Director emphasizes strong policies to close gaps in skills and formality during regional CAF event
Mr. Zulu participated in discussion on regional solutions to obstacles to decent work faced by youth.
11 August 2023
A recent high-level forum hosted by the Government of Barbados and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) featured the perspective of the ILO on methods to reduce inequalities in Caribbean job markets with a focus on barriers to youth employment.
Titled “Inherited inequalities: The role of skills, employment, and wealth in the opportunities of new generations”, the event focused on a presentation of the CAF Report on Economic Development (RED) and included the participation of Dennis Zulu, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
Mr. Zulu joined a panel of other regional sustainable development leaders, including Ms. Tonni Brodber, UN Women Representative to the Caribbean, to analyze and offer solutions to the main factors that widen inequalities and hinder pathways for young people to gain access to decent work opportunities.
During his contribution to the discussion, Mr. Zulu emphasized that strong targeted policies are essential to strengthen the core of Caribbean societies and economies by closing skills gaps, enabling enterprise development to stimulate job creation and encouraging a transition to greater levels of formality.
“When you look at formation of human capital and its relationship to employment and ultimately accessing and acquiring assets, you see a direct link. But that link tends to become weaker and weaker without a solid foundation. The foundation is about education that prepares people with skills that will be demanded in the labour market,” he explained.
Other featured speakers at the event included Barbados Prime Minister the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, who also addressed disparities in regional educational and training systems.
For more information and to watch the full event, please visit the CAF website.
Titled “Inherited inequalities: The role of skills, employment, and wealth in the opportunities of new generations”, the event focused on a presentation of the CAF Report on Economic Development (RED) and included the participation of Dennis Zulu, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
Mr. Zulu joined a panel of other regional sustainable development leaders, including Ms. Tonni Brodber, UN Women Representative to the Caribbean, to analyze and offer solutions to the main factors that widen inequalities and hinder pathways for young people to gain access to decent work opportunities.
During his contribution to the discussion, Mr. Zulu emphasized that strong targeted policies are essential to strengthen the core of Caribbean societies and economies by closing skills gaps, enabling enterprise development to stimulate job creation and encouraging a transition to greater levels of formality.
“When you look at formation of human capital and its relationship to employment and ultimately accessing and acquiring assets, you see a direct link. But that link tends to become weaker and weaker without a solid foundation. The foundation is about education that prepares people with skills that will be demanded in the labour market,” he explained.
Other featured speakers at the event included Barbados Prime Minister the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, who also addressed disparities in regional educational and training systems.
For more information and to watch the full event, please visit the CAF website.