ILO concludes transformative 2025 capacity-building webinar series for Caribbean trade unions

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (ILO News) - Across the Caribbean, trade unions play a pivotal role in ensuring that workers can access decent work, social protection, and fair treatment. Yet the challenges they face, from rising informality to demographic shifts and economic volatility require continuous learning and strong policy engagement. In response to this need, the ILO Caribbean Office delivered an eight-part webinar series from April to November 2025, designed to give union leaders and members the tools, evidence, and confidence needed to advocate effectively for workers’ rights. By grounding technical concepts in real-world Caribbean experiences, the series helped participants translate global labour standards into practical action.

The series addressed critical areas aligned with the specific needs of the Caribbean labour market and socio-economic context. It opened with a foundational exploration of why integrated policy approaches are essential for creating pro-employment macroeconomic frameworks that support decent work and universal social protection. This first session, held on 29 April 2025, set the tone for the months ahead by highlighting the building blocks required for labour-centred development.

The second session, delivered on 27 May 2025, examined the global state of social protection and introduced participants to the ILO’s two-dimensional social protection approach and its various financing mechanisms. Momentum deepened with the third session on 3 July 2025, which focused on fostering formalization through social protection, as part of a comprehensive pathway to decent work and just transition.

As the series progressed, participants benefited from increasingly targeted themes that addressed regional priorities. The fourth session, on 29 July 2025, explored old-age, disability, and survivors’ benefits through the lens of ILO pension policy. On 3 September 2025, the fifth webinar delved into family-friendly social protection measures, emphasising the importance of inclusive policies that support workers with care responsibilities.

Two additional sessions of the series continued building toward practical action: on 12 November 2025, participants addressed OSH-related risks and the critical role of employment injury benefit schemes; and on 28 November 2025, the session explored how unemployment insurance schemes can help reduce informality, support reintegration into the formal labour market, and facilitate smoother school-to-work transitions for youth. The ultimate session in the series examines gender-responsive social protection and its links to care policies and wider social development priorities.

The thematic content and methodology of each session was shaped to reflect the Caribbean’s unique realities, and together, these eight sessions offered trade unionists a structured, relevant, and deeply practical programme of support, providing actionable insights and inspiring renewed commitment to more equitable Caribbean workplaces. This ensured that participants could immediately apply what they learned, bridging global policy frameworks with everyday workplace challenges. “This series has empowered trade union leaders and members with new knowledge and strategies to champion workers’ rights in an ever-changing labour environment," Vera Guseva, Specialist in Workers’ Activities, ILO Caribbean Office.

To ensure the lessons and insights remain accessible, the ILO Caribbean Office has made full recordings of all sessions available for participants and their organizations. Those who wish to revisit any session or who were unable to join the discussions live can access the complete recordings here: https://www.ilo.org/meetings-and-events/actravs-support-trade-unions-caribbean-promoting-decent-work-and-social

As the region continues to confront emerging challenges in the world of work - from informality and migration to climate impacts and technological change - the ILO remains committed to supporting trade unions in strengthening their voice, representation, and influence. The ILO Caribbean Office extends its sincere appreciation to all participants, facilitators, and partners who contributed to this successful initiative.