25 April 2024 Through a series of stakeholder sessions, Suriname’s National Decent Work Commission is using a participatory process for the successful delivery of its third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The Commission hosted its third stakeholder session on 9 April 2024, focused on Priority 3 of the DWCP: Labour Market Governance and Labour Rights.
The event was not only a tripartite session, but also included stakeholders from the Inter-American Development Bank and ILO Project Coordinator Shoblina Chotkan-Somai. The session had the objective of providing an overview of where the Commission, and Suriname as a whole, are with regards to DWCP implementation progress.
It also sought to inform the 35 stakeholders in attendance of their role to support the action plan, as well as to gather inputs to make adjustments. – REGIONAL NEWS –
labour markets. “It is important for us as the National Decent Work Commission to be critical to ourselves before we can be critical to others. In the past year a lot of steps were taken, but we still have a long way to go.
Therefore, to achieve maximum results we cannot do this alone and must do this hand in hand with all the other stakeholders involved,” said Jason Menso, Acting Head of International Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs. During the session, the Commission presented the driving positive change.
We look forward to this invaluable engagement with our stakeholders and interest groups as we strengthen our partnerships to further address systemic inequalities and develop the Region.” The cross-sectoral engagement will connect the dots between labour market outcomes for vulnerable populations and impacts on economic growth and development. There will be a mapping exercise to create truly inclusive and equitable labour markets.
In addition, innovative practices for transforming labour markets and the future of work will be explored, and recommendations from the study will be presented. Mr. Ian Durant, Director of Economics at CDB said, “The Caribbean has a tremendous opportunity to redefine our workforce paradigms as economies rebound from the pandemic’s impacts.
We must act decisively to level the playing field and unlock our full potential, and this seminar will spark critical dialogue and identify concrete solutions to dismantle the systemic barriers facing vulnerable groups. I urge all stakeholders to join this critical conversation on sustaining growth in our labour markets.” The panel of participants includes Honourable Colin Jordan, MP Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Barbados, Dr Halima DeShong, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus; Mr.
Wilson Pearce, Senior Director – Global Business Development for the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and Ms. Josee Begin, Assistant Chief Statistician responsible for Social, Health and Labour Statistics Field at Statistics Canada.
CDB’s Acting VicePresident of Operations, Mrs. Therese Turner-Jones will serve as moderator. The seminar will be livestreamed on CDB’s Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube platforms. The event should be of particular interest to persons involved in national planning, employment, research, gender and indigenous pursuits. current status of implementation and highlighted that it aims to achieve a 100 per cent realization rate by 2026.
The average realization rate to date is currently 22 per cent. More specifically, the sessions provided an update on the following outcomes under Priority 3. To date, each has realization rates as follows: Outcome 3.1, which focuses on strengthening national legislation and regulations to comply with international labour standards.
This outcome remains a crucial focus for safeguarding employee rights and creating a fair working environment. Its progress has achieved a realization rate of 20 per cent. Outcome 3.2, which seeks to improve supervisory mechanisms and dispute resolution/ To date, its realization rate is 10 per cent.
Outcome 3.3, which highlights the importance of improving systems for collecting and analyzing labour market data. This outcome shows a strong commitment to obtaining accurate information to support policy decisions. Its current realization rate is 36 per cent.
Discussions also considered important areas of concern regarding the labour market policy and gathered stakeholder feedback on areas for improvements such as enforcement. data collection and migration monitoring to create effective policies. Participants also emphasized the need for a law on working conditions as well as a minimum wage for different categories of work.
Other featured topics included barriers for indigenous and tribal peoples as well as policies with regards to gender equality and sexual harassment. “As an expert in the area of labour law, I’m pleased with the progress made with regards to labour legislation, which is covered in Priority 3 of the DWCP.
If it were up to me I would have the labour laws as a priority on the agenda of the Assembly, because to me relevant labour legislation is fundamental if we want to have an effective workforce,” said Glenn Piroe, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s International Affairs Unit and Chair of the DWCP Monitoring Commission. The next National Decent Work Commission of Suriname will review the status of DWCP Priority 2, which will also coincide with the final presentation of the National Social Protection Strategy.
