One hundred MSMEs in the agricultural and fisheries sectors complete training under ILO-Ministry formalization project in Jamaica

One hundred operators from the agricultural and fisheries sectors received certificates of participation during the graduation ceremony held on 28 April 2022 for trainees of the MIIC-JDBC programme “Formalization of operators in the Jamaican Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors’. The programme, one of the key components of an ILO funded, multi-sectoral project “Support for the transition to formality in the household services, agriculture and fisheries sectors in Jamaica,“ was officially launched in February 2021 and provided technical training and entrepreneurial coaching to micro and small operators in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The training, spearheaded by officials of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), an agency of the MIIC, also included technical presentations from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, RADA, Sagicor and the ILO Caribbean Office, among other partners, provided participants with important information on business skills and techniques necessary for them to formalize, operate and maintain sustainable businesses.

During the graduation ceremony, Mr Oral Shaw. Director, MSME Division, Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce expressed appreciation for the partnership with the ILO and the implementation the Project, “formality, is very important to national development, there are far more benefits to getting in the formal economy”.

The importance of formalization in the context of medium and long term recovery is one of the motivating factors in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s push to implement the National Transition to Formality Action Plan which spans the period 2021 to 2024. It is also important to stress that within the framework for transitioning to formality, the participation of employers and workers through active social dialogue, is a key element.

Ms. Resel Melville, ILO National Project Coordinator, explained the reason behind ILO’s investment in this Project: “I don't know if you understand deeply the big picture because agriculture and fisheries as sectors in Jamaica’s economy are considered or are seen as vital and critically important drivers for both medium and longer term economic and social recovery, especially after this pandemic. Your work, your industries, your sectors are linked to domestic food security. It's linked to tourism development. It's also linked to international trade, so I just want you to understand the important role and space that you occupy in the national economy of Jamaica”.

She added: “I want to leave you with the assurance that we at the ILO Caribbean Office continue to be committed and we certainly look forward to working with you in the foreseeable future to ensure that Jamaica remains on track in its process of transitioning from informality to formality”.