As The Bahamas Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2021 – 2026 approaches the midpoint of its implementation, the ILO Caribbean team hosted a workshop with representatives from Government, employers and trade unions in Nassau from 20 to 22 September 2023 to evaluate progress.
Referred to as a Biennial Country Programme Review (BCPR), the collaborative process follows a results-based approach and is a required component of all DWCPs. It forms part of on-going monitoring efforts aimed at strengthening the Programme to facilitate knowledge sharing among constituents, the ILO and other key stakeholders.
“This three-day workshop will focus on a review of The Bahamas’ Decent Work Country Programme and aspects of accountability, improvement and learning,” said Honourable Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and the Public Service, of the BCPR.
During the proceedings, the implementation team, led by Ms. Sharon Martin, Chair of the National Tripartite Council (NTC) reflected on achievements, challenges and opportunities for improvements.
They assessed how implementation fulfils three priority DWCP areas: (i) Jobs and Skills Development, (ii) Social Dialogue; and (iii) Governance. Activities. The findings were used to review the design of the DWCP and make necessary adjustments.
Minister Glover-Rolle delivered remarks on the first day of the BCPR and returned on the third day to contribute to the finalization of an updated workplan linked to monitoring tools and structure.
“The ILO is grateful for the active participation of the Honourable Minister Glover-Rolle and the tripartite partners in the BCPR. By collectively examining recent DWCP performance we can recognize whether outputs are being converted into expected outcomes, and whether the strategies being used are effective and efficient. The implementation team can then pinpoint where and how improvements can be made to consider future strategies and actions. This methodology encourages results-based management of the Programme and enhances national ownership of the review process,” said Mr. Lars Johansen, Deputy Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, who led the mission to The Bahamas to conduct the BCPR.
Launched in early 2022, The Programme is the second DWCP for The Bahamas. It outlines the goals and objectives of the tripartite partners to ensure that decent work remains aligned with national development priorities as outlined in Vision 2040: The National Development Plan of The Bahamas. The DWCP closely connects to national targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It leverages partnerships to achieve real and meaningful change to strengthen pathways to decent work.
The Programme is also aligned with the 2019 Panama Declaration for the ILO Centenary which asserts that sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth is essential for generating decent and productive employment, and for reducing inequalities and recommendations developed by the national Economic Recovery Committee in 2020 to address the impacts of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic on The Bahamas.
