Saint Lucia ratifies all fundamental ILO Conventions

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

GENEVA (ILO NEWS) – On 5 June 2025, the Minister of Labour of Saint Lucia, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte presented the instruments of ratification for the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), to the Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo.

In depositing the instruments of ratification, Minister Albert-Poyotte stated “With these ratifications, Saint Lucia reaffirms its commitment to promoting a national preventative safety and health culture in all workplaces and ensuring that every child is protected from child labour by setting a minimum age for employment. A powerful step forward for occupational safety, social justice, and the protection of children’s rights.”

When receiving the instruments of ratification, Mr. Houngbo declared: “I welcome these two important ratifications, which complete Saint Lucia’s ratification of all 10 fundamental Conventions and demonstrate the country’s dedication to upholding international labour standards and protecting worker’s rights. All countries in the Caribbean have now ratified Convention No. 138, demonstrating a firm commitment to the eradication of child labour and the protection of children’s and young persons’ rights. Further, the ratification of Convention No. 187 reflects Saint Lucia’s dedication to protecting the fundamental principle and right of a safe and healthy working environment and to promoting occupational safety and health. The ILO looks forward to advancing its partnership with Saint Lucia in this work.”

The ILO has been supporting Saint Lucia through the provision of technical assistance aimed at strengthening its national labour landscape, including through targeted support to enhance the occupational safety and health system.

The Conventions will enter into force for Saint Lucia on 5 June 2026, one year after their ratification. To date, Saint Lucia has ratified 31 Conventions and one Protocol. For additional information, please refer to NORMLEX.