15 June 2024 Caribbean labour markets face unprecedented challenges and must develop pathways to social justice declared regional tripartite constituents during the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC2024), held in Geneva from 3 – 14 June, 2024. These perspectives were shared as representatives from Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations and trade unions of the Englishand Dutch-Speaking Caribbean contributed to ILC2024 through keynote speeches and deliberations with their counterparts from around the world.
Participating countries and non-metropolitan territories included Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. During the ten-day event, they outlined how their social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities set against the backdrop of global trends were affecting national and regional workforces and productivity.
They also featured their approaches to developing solutions in pursuit of social justice through priority areas such as international labour standards (ILS), social dialogue and governance. “The intersectionality of climate and technology on the world of work, and their potential impact on realizing development that is human-centred, must be recognized and addressed.
Barbados reaffirms its commitment to fairness and justice within our own country, in our region and around the world,” said the Honourable Colin E. Jordan, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector for Barbados.
“The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed further social and economic inequalities within and between countries. When taken alongside the disruptive impacts of climate, demography and technology, the need for course correction is certain, to control the power imbalances and divergent interests that continue to promote an agenda for the few, and not the many,” said Toni Moore, President of the Barbados Workers’ Union.
“Our strong tripartite partnerships facilitate constructive social dialogue and is the bedrock of our harmonious industrial relations. This collaborative approach is what accounts for Jamaica’s rapid recovery from the impact of the pandemic and also now being far advanced in the bold overhaul of our public sector compensation system,” said the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security for Jamaica.
Participating Caribbean tripartite representatives expressed their support for the ILO Director-General’s report “Towards a renewed social contract”. Launched ahead of ILC, the publication addresses persistent injustices, inequalities and insecurities and promotes the universal importance of the social contract and its capacity to deliver social justice.
“The world of work is undergoing rapid changes that require us to work cooperatively in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. The development of a renewed social contract, the pursuit of social justice, and the rollout of strategies to successfully navigate the triple transition of climate, digital and social change are inherently interconnected.,” explained the Honourable Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and Public Service for The Bahamas.
“We have taken good note of the Report of the Director General and thank him for his introduction of the concept of the social contract. This concept is introduced with the objective to achieve the goals of the ILO, which have become more relevant over the years, of which the need to have social justice in our societies is currently a crucial one.
We agree that social contracts are of utmost importance,” said the Honourable Steven Mac Andrew, Minister of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs for Suriname. On 13 June 2024, the ILC2024 hosted the Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice to emphasize the critical need for greater social justice and ensure a peaceful world.
“The fruitful discussions we have had today must translate into action. And as we move forward, let us remember that our efforts are not just for us but for the generations to come,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo.
“Our roadmap is clear. We must act, and we must act at the country level,” he added. Since its endorsement by the ILO Governing Body in 2023, the Global Coalition for Social Justice has been working to create global momentum towards the reduction and prevention of inequalities and the prioritization of social justice in national and global policymaking and activities.
Current Caribbean members of the Coalition include the Governments of The Bahamas and Barbados, as well as the University of the West Indies, Mona. “We have already made ourselves clear in various fora of the ILO that the Global Coalition for Social Justice will be essential if the international community is to be galvanized for human-centred developmental policies.
There must be policy coherence, particularly as it relates to small island developing states,” said the Honourable Colin E. Jordan. ILC2024 concluded with an initial first step towards the first-ever international standard governing biological hazards in the world of work, and a review of both working conditions in the care sector and the key role of fundamental principles and rights in a rapidly changing world of work.
