ILO hosts tripartite workshop on just transition strategies as part of Suriname’s DWCP

Officials from the Government of Suriname as well as from workers’ and employers’ groups gathered for a workshop to discuss and develop just transition strategies that will fulfil a national commitment articulated through its third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).

The session, which hosted by the ILO Caribbean Office on 28th November 2023 in Paramaribo, featured the participation of over 10 representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs; the Suriname Business Association (VSB); and Ravaksur.

Led by ILO consultant Kees van der Ree, the workshop gave participants an overview of the principles of the just transition and its practical implementation. Participants were also introduced to approaches to social dialogue for policymaking that will prioritize decent green jobs and environmentally focused enterprise creation to achieve a sustainable future for the current and next generation of the world of work in Suriname.

“This workshop directly supports Suriname in its fulfilment of its DWCP, particularly Outcome 1.1 – Increased offer of decent green jobs that are accessible to all. It is designed to contribute to national green capacity building and awareness raising by training the Government and social partners on key concepts, good practices, and advocacy strategies concerning green jobs, the just transition, as well as relevant policy and programming,” explained John Bliek, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation.

“We are grateful for the technical assistance of the ILO. The just transition is a new concept in Suriname; it is new to environmental institutions, it is new to the Ministry of Labour and its institutions, and it is new for all Surinamese stakeholders,” said Glenn Piroe, Chair of the National Decent Work Commission of Suriname, who participated in the session.

Following the workshop, the ILO Caribbean Office will continue to work with tripartite partners to create a supportive ecosystem for a just transition and a sustainable Suriname through a wide range of measures including training for MSMEs and policy makers, value chain development (focused on wood-processing and eco-tourism sectors), social dialogue and policy development.