The 7^th International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) Caribbean Regional Conference opened this morning at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, with the global leadership challenging unions in the Region to take stock of the challenges facing workers, and to come up with regional and global solutions.

General Secretary (ag) of the IUF, Kristjan Bragason said the Regional Conference is taking place at a time of profound global uncertainties and wars, with far reaching impact that could affect workers.

“Workers everywhere are facing increasing pressures, inequality is growing, corporate power is becoming more concentrated and the democratic space is under strain in many parts of this world. Across our sectors ranging agriculture, food production, tourism, workers are dealing with restructuring, precarious employment and now recently again, rising in cost of living. And here in the Caribbean, these global pressures and challenges, affect sharply,” Bragason said.

He said the conference presents an opportunity for the unions in the region to organize and build union power with solidarity with others.

“The future of IUF in the Caribbean must be shaped here by you, by your experience, your priorities, and your vision. Organizing a membership growth must be at the center of our work. We need to reach new workers, young workers, especially women, and migrants, and we need to build strong unions in key sectors, and we need to ensure that our members are not left without strong representation,” the IUF General Secretary (ag) said.

The official also said at the same time, unions must strengthen their solidarity across the Region, explaining that the struggle of workers across the Caribbean are connected to those in other parts of the world.

Noting that many of the companies spanning the sectors are global, Bragason called for global responses as well.

IUF Regional Secretary, Clifton Grant said the two-day conference must conclude with strong positions on key issues, among them, union busting, particularly in the Restaurant Industry.

“In this region, we have been seeing the ballooning of fast food establishments, and in those fast food establishments, workers are denied the right to be a part of a trade union. And some of our unions are engaging the process of ensuring that where ever you are as workers, we must have an interest,” Grant said.

Minister of Labour and Manpower, Keoma Griffith said the 7^th IUF Caribbean Regional Conference reflects the unions’ shared commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and well-being of workers across sectors that are fundamental to region’s economy and the lives of citizens.

“At a time when labour forces are undergoing profound transformation, this gathering provides a critical opportunity to examine these changes—which no doubt present challenges—and to shape practical, forward-looking strategies that ensure progress is anchored in equity, dignity, and social justice,” Minister Griffith said.

He said there is clear and undeniable evidence that the world of work is undergoing significant and unprecedented transformation with advances in artificial intelligence, science, technology, and automation rapidly changing how work is performed across industries.

“From mechanized agriculture to digital platforms in hospitality and service industries, the sectors represented here are at the forefront of this evolution. While these developments bring opportunities for efficiency and growth, they also present real challenges, particularly for job security, skills relevance, and the protection of workers’ rights. For the Caribbean, this moment demands thoughtful and decisive action. We must spare no effort in ensuring that our workers are not displaced or left without support,” Minister Griffith urged.

The Minister underscored the importance for the workforce to be prepared, re-skilled, and empowered to participate meaningfully in this ever-evolving labour landscape.

The 7^TH IUF Caribbean Regional Conference brings together union leaders from Jamaica, Belize, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana among other countries.

The conference will wrap up in Guyana on Friday with the region taking key positions on growing challenges.

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