Jamaica launches Just Transition Project, a landmark initiative to build more inclusive and climate-resilient labour markets
Two-year project developed with support from the International Labour Organization acknowledges Jamaica's leadership role in the Caribbean.
27 November 2024
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (ILO News) - Jamaica has marked a key milestone in its pursuit of resilience with the introduction of a new national project that will infuse principles of decent work and social justice with climate policies to reduce the vulnerabilities of workers and employers.
Launched on 27 November 2024, during the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s (MLSS) “Labour Talks” Roadshow in St. Ann, “Jamaica Just Transition: Embedding climate justice in regional policy frameworks” is a two-year project developed with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
The innovative project envisages that measures which enable a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies will be built into Jamaica’s national climate change policy frameworks including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
It is expected that through this engagement, there would be increased knowledge generation to strengthen the bases for policy development, an increase in social dialogue and engagement among tripartite constituents and experts, a strategy for accelerated capacity building and the development of integrated climate policies that expand social protection coverage.
The launch ceremony welcomed approximately 200 persons including tripartite partners from the Government, Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), as well as climate experts, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development partners and high schoolers representing the future workforce of Jamaica.
Speakers included The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr, MP, JP, Minister of Labour and Social Security; Dr. The Honourable Norman Dunn, MP, JP, Minister of State, MLSS; Mrs. Dione Jennings, Permanent Secretary (Acting), MLSS; Ms. Donnette Helps, Regional Director, St. Ann, MLSS; Ms. Bernita Locke, Vice President, JEF; Mr. St. Patrice Ennis, President JCTU; and Dr. Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
During his keynote address, the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security explained that Just Transition is about fairness, equity, and deliberately advancing protection and balance in the evolving world of work. Minister Charles declared that “this project that we launched here today is for every single Jamaican. Every student, parent, government worker, minister, whether it is a minister of government or a minister in church. All of us have to be involved and have to understand our role and responsibility in achieving these goals.”
The event concluded with the confirmation of a high level national steering committee comprised of representatives of the ILO's tripartite partners from Government, employers and workers, as well as representatives of the University of the West Indies all under the stewardship of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Following the launch, an ILO team of technical experts facilitated an information session titled “Jobs in the eye of the storm: A just transition for Jamaica” to raise public awareness of how building linkages between just transition, employment data, and workers' rights, can create inclusive, sustainable, and resilient workforce ecosystems that leave no one behind.
“The Jamaica Just Transition project marks a turning point in the country’s journey to become climate resilient by directly addressing impacts on workers and employers, as well as their sectors and communities. The ILO looks forward to working with the Government, employers, and trade unions on this exciting initiative to create an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient workforce ecosystem that leave no one behind,” explained Dr. Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Country Office.
Watch the launch of “Jamaica Just Transition: Embedding climate justice in regional policy frameworks” on the ILO Caribbean Facebook page. More information about the project is available on the ILO Caribbean website.