Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton called on his regional colleagues today to take bold steps to protect the future of workers in the region in the face of the many challenges facing the Caribbean region.

Mr. Hamilton made the statement during the opening of 13th International Labour Organization Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers.

The event, which opened at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, is being held under the theme “Decent Work for Resilience: Securing the Future of Caribbean Labour.”

According to the Minister, the conference is sitting to discuss key issues facing the region such as labour migration, social protection, skill development, occupational health and safety and the formalization of the informal economy.

The discussions, he noted, are not just timely but are also essential for securing the future of work in the region.

“If we are to sustain momentum as a Caribbean community, then we must not merely acknowledge labour disparities within our respective societies, we must actively address them, collectively and individually through robust, structured and expansive robust national and regional initiatives,” the Labour Minister stated.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips who delivered the feature address, noted that bold steps must be taken to safeguard the rights and dignity of workers and employers.

“The challenges we face as a region are mounting from climate instability to shifting global labour trends, from digital disruptions to growing informal economics, ladies and gentlemen therefore, our response toward the well-being of our labour force in the region must be co-ordinated, deliberate and bold,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the International Labour Organisation, Gilbert Houngbo, said the region has made a lot of progress in its labour relations and in its effort to secure the rights of workers. However, he issued a call for more to be done in a collaborative way.

“The path forward requires collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to building societies that prioritizes fairness, dignity and opportunity for all,” Mr. Houngbo said.

Guyana also signed the Decent Work Country Programme, which represents the tripartite agreement and commitment to a programme of action to develop a harmonious labour market.

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