Sint Maarten and ILO Caribbean partner to deepen tripartite understanding of freedom of association and social dialogue

The ILO Caribbean team conducted a mission to Sint Maarten (20 – 24 October 2024) to provide support for the strengthening of the country's labour framework and cooperation between the government, employers and workers.

During their visit, the ILO team conducted a two-day workshop on 21 and 22 October on ILO Convention No. 87 on freedom of association, and ILO Convention No. 144 on tripartite consultation. Both legal instruments offer the necessary foundations for Sint Maarten to strengthen freedom of association and social dialogue between the government, employers and workers. The workshop was facilitated by ILO Caribbean experts Shingo Miyake, Labour Law and International Labour Standard Specialist and Nancy Varela, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration Specialist, of the ILO Office for the Caribbean, and by Oksana Wolfson, Coordinator, Freedom Association, International Labour Standards Department, of ILO Headquarters in Geneva. Maria Victoria Giulietti, Senior Employers' Activities Specialist, and Vera Guseva, Workers’ Activities Specialist, of the ILO Office for the Caribbean, were also present and assisted the worker and employer participants to engage in discussions and to prepare conclusions of the workshop.

“This training was developed in response to a request from the Government to improve understanding of the two International Labour Standards among the government, employers’ organizations and trade unions. This request was made in the context of following up on a case before the supervisory mechanism of the ILO[1] which requested, among others, to engage in meaningful social dialogue. Through the workshop, we provided technical guidance on obligations for each Convention,” said Shingo Miyake.

“The workshop also provided the government, employers, and workers with an opportunity to discuss related issues of their immediate concern and what they intended to do about them. A significant outcome of the workshop was the development and adoption of conclusions and among Sint Maarten’s tripartite constituents. The conclusions recognize the importance of the effective implementation of fundamental ILO conventions and acknowledge the importance of effective tripartite social dialogue for inclusive decision-making,” said Nancy Varela.

The mission also focused on a strategic engagements, led by ILO Caribbean Director Joni Musabayana, with the Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Luc Mercelina; the Honourable Veronica Jansen-Webster, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour; Andrew Budike, Chief Labour Inspector; Paul Henriques, President of the Employers Council Sint Maarten (ECSM) and Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA); Edna Evans, Vice-President SHTA; Jesse Peterson, President St Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA); Wyb Meijer, SHTA Executive Director; Sharon Cangieter, President of the Windward Islands Civil Servants' Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) and other unions; and Gerard Richardson, Secretary-General of the Social Economic Council (SER).

“The ILO is pleased to meet with our partners in Sint Maarten to reestablish our presence and availability to our constituents. These discussions revealed a need for clearer criteria around representation in labour organizations, and a stronger framework for social dialogue,” said Dr Musabayana.

During the meetings, the ILO officials highlighted the importance of strengthening the SER of Sint Maarten, which plays a central role in labour discussions. The ILO will collaborate with the peak-level social dialogue institution to promote inclusive and sustainable policymaking.

As a follow up to the mission, the ILO will support Sint Maarten to implement the conclusions adopted at the end of workshop. It covers various matters, such as developing criteria for representativity at consultative bodies, following up on matters and documents of continuing concern, transparency and inclusion in decision-making processes, training, and ratification of ILO Conventions.

Additionally, the ILO will assist the Ministry of Labour and social partners in planning a meeting that will take place before the end of the year to discuss next steps. By facilitating these efforts, the ILO aims to ensure that Sint Maarten’s labour practices better align with international standards, fostering a more equitable and cooperative labour environment.
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[1] ILO Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) and the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR).