Sukti Dasgupta in Chile
Promoting dialogue on inequality and the care economy
18 November 2024
SANTIAGO (ILO News).- From November 12 to 15, Chile hosted Sukti Dasgupta, Director of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Work, Quality, and Equality Department, alongside Alessandro Batazzi, Inequality Specialist from ILO Geneva.
During their stay in Santiago, the mission carried out an extensive agenda of meetings and visits focused on the country’s labor challenges and strengthening equity in the world of work.
Among their engagements, the delegation met with José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, to discuss topics of mutual interest for both organizations, such as addressing inequalities in the workplace, job quality, and the care economy.
To gain insight into local care experiences, the delegation visited the RUCALAF Center in the municipality of Renca, a key example of the “Renca Takes Care” Communal Care System. This initiative supports both individuals in dependency situations and their caregivers.
This focus was also pivotal in the “Mujer Emplea” project, aimed at increasing women’s participation in the labor market and improving access to care services. One of its components was developed in the municipality of Renca.
Dasgupta and Batazzi also met with the Minister of Social Development, Javiera Toro, and her team to learn about advances in Chile’s national care policy and explore potential areas for technical collaboration between the ILO and the Chilean government.
The mission also held discussions with the technical team of the Subsecretariat of Labor, led by Acting Subsecretary María Elizabeth Soto. Topics included Chile’s progress on employment, shared responsibility, social dialogue, and recent labor reforms, such as reduced working hours, collective bargaining, and preventing workplace abuse and violence.
The agenda also featured a dialogue with the executive committee of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT Chile), led by its president, David Acuña. This meeting addressed key topics on Chile’s labor agenda, progress in working conditions, and major challenges such as informality, new forms of employment, and labor migration.
The visit concluded with a working meeting with the ILO Office team in Santiago. Throughout their stay, the mission reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting Chile through technical assistance in priority areas, promoting decent work, and strengthening social dialogue and inclusive development in the country.
Check out the photo gallery of the mission here.