ILO labour market policy report for Grenada highlights strategies to boost job creation
Through a week of strategic meetings with Government bodies and stakeholders, the ILO reinforced its commitment to supporting Grenada’s labour market reforms with inclusive, evidence-based policy solutions.
30 May 2025
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) has taken an important step in supporting Grenada’s path to a more inclusive and future-ready workforce. On 26 May 2025, the ILO presented the findings of compendium of reports, including Grenada's labour market focus: Trends, challenges and future prospects; Mapping Active Labour Market Policies; Public Employment Services (PES) scan report; and PES implementation roadmap in Grenada, to the Honourable Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Cabinet Ministers, marking a major milestone in the country’s ambitious labour market reform efforts.
Led by ILO Employment Specialist, Abdelmalik Muhummed, and Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist, Ilca Webster, the presentation offered evidence-based insights gathered through a collaborative study with the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour, and Consumer Affairs. The report outlines strategic recommendations to help the Government boost job creation, align skills development with labour market demand, and ensure equitable access to employment for all Grenadians.
One of the report’s key findings is that Grenada’s overall employment rate stands at just 58.6 per cent - a figure that highlights the significant untapped potential in the national workforce. In response, the ILO is advocating for innovative, targeted policies that generate decent work to close persistent gaps in the labour market.
The report also revealed stark gender inequalities that deepen during crises. Women, particularly those working in tourism and service-related sectors, are more vulnerable to job and income losses in the face of shocks such as pandemics or climate events. Furthermore, youth unemployment stood at 24 per cent in 2024, with young women facing a staggering rate of 36.6 per cent, compared to 12 per cent for young men. These disparities underscore the need for inclusive and gender-responsive employment and skills strategies.
“This collaboration with the ILO is instrumental in helping us shape policies that truly respond to the needs of Grenadian workers and employers,” said Senator the Honourable Claudette Joseph, Minister of Labour. “With the insights from this report, we are better equipped to create opportunities, strengthen protections, and build a labour market that leaves no one behind.”
The ILO’s policy roadmap includes strengthening public employment services (PES), investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and expanding targeted job placement and support services for young people, women, and rural communities. It also calls for stronger labour market data systems to inform decision-making and track progress over time.
Throughout the week, the ILO delegation deepened its engagement with national stakeholders. On 27 May, the team met with the Labour Advisory Board to discuss labour market trends, digital labour platforms, and the role of public employment services in improving job matching and outreach. This was followed by strategic consultations with the Grenada National Training Agency on 28 May, focusing on aligning skills training programmes with industry needs. The mission concluded with a visit to the Central Statistical Office on 29 May, where discussions centered on strengthening national data systems to support evidence-based labour policies.
As Grenada continues to push forward on its reform journey, the ILO remains a committed partner, dedicated to transforming data into action and ensuring that labour market policies reflect the lived realities of all workers and employers.