Suriname’s new national midterm labour market policy (2022-2025) launched

On 13 September, 2022, the Government of Suriname launched its new Mid-term Labour Market Policy covering the years 2022-2025. The Policy is the result of a research and consultative process which started in October 2021, under the lead of the ILO. Under the aegis of the National Commission for Long Term Labour Market Policy and with the guidance of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs, national stakeholders discussed and agreed on a programmatic document which provides the country with a new and much needed framework for dedicated action to improve its labour market performance.

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The new policy document includes a consistent set of interventions and associated responsibilities and timeframe for implementation covering four main programmatic areas:

1. education offer;
2. labour market data;
3. matching of demand and supply; and
4. combination of social protection and activation measures notably those linked to supporting self-employment.

The undertaking neatly fits within the national endeavours aimed at the realization of the SDG agenda.

During the launch event, Ms Naomi Esajas-Friperson, Deputy Director of the Labour Market, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs indicated that “the reformulated mid-term labour market policy aims at improving the participation in the labour market and contributes to the creation of decent jobs for the Surinamese citizens.” In view of this, social partners representing national entities and interests participated in the development of the reformulated labour market policy to ensure a cohesive and effective response to the challenges in the labour market.

The Honourable Steven Mac Andrew, Minister of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs, noted that “the Commission, in cooperation with the consultant and the ILO, have done an excellent job with the four outcomes that have been formulated and I can assure you that we will work to realize and implement these outcomes […] “.

Mr. Dennis Zulu, Director, ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, in his address pointed out that the policy document "has in it, the various contributions received from the different parties in Suriname […]. It is important therefore to say that this is a national policy, owned and developed by national stakeholders with the technical and financial assistance of the ILO." Mr. Zulu reminded all social partners that the ILO "remains committed to working with you all to ensure that this policy is indeed implemented".

A 2nd publication was launched entitled, “The system of labour administration in Suriname (2nd revised edition)” which was presented by Mr. Glenn Piroe, author and Deputy Director of Legal and International Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs, Suriname. This publication will serve as an evaluation tool and a useful guide for Government agencies, employers, workers, investors and key players in the labour and industrial relations environment.