“Decent Work for Sustainable Development” – Regional Labour Ministers Meeting

Caribbean Community Labour Ministers opened a two-day conference in The Bahamas, Tuesday with their attention focused on  pressing labour matters impacting the region.

The Bahamas Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry Christie officially opened the conference, Tuesday morning at the British Colonial Hilton. Also addressing the Opening Ceremony were Director General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Guy Ryder; Giovanni di Cola, Director ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, and Dr. Douglas Slater,  Assistant Secretary General, Human and Social Development, Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Delegates representing 13 CARICOM Member States and nine territories will hear the perspectives of public and private sector representatives from  Canada and China, the Association of Caribbean States and the CEO of the Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

He also acknowledged and thanked Mr. Ryder for the impressive work he continues to do through the ILO, which is positively impacting nations around the world, and in particular the region.

“I also thank the ILO for its continued assistance to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said. “The Government of The Bahamas has developed an excellent working relationship with the ILO, and in particular, with its Caribbean Sub-Regional Office.”

Mr. Gibson noted that during July and August 2014, The Bahamas National Tripartite Team held extensive consultations with the ILO on the National Tripartite Council Bill that was recently passed in Parliament.

“It is anticipated that the provisions of this new legislation will foster a more harmonious working relationship between social partners, the Government, labour unions and employers in our national interest.”

He explained that through the sponsorship of the ILO, a Tripartite Training Programme on Conciliation and Dispute Resolution was recently held in November 2014 in conjunction with The Bahamas Department of Labour during which several Bahamians were trained in the area of Conciliation and Dispute Resolution.

“The ILO has also assisted with an Employer Specialist who provided technical assistance to guide and facilitate the recent merger of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and The Bahamas Employers Confederation, of which we are most appreciative,” Mr. Gibson said.

“We anticipate the continued support of the ILO in providing similar forms of technical assistance to our trade union movement,” he added.

Mr. Gibson also told the conference that The Bahamas was most honoured to participate in and join forces with other countries around the world in discussions on pressing labour issues, including the role of employment and social protection, and the reduction of poverty and equality at the 18th American Regional Meeting of the ILO in Lima, Peru in October 2014.

In this vein, The Bahamas remains committed to being an active member of the Regional Initiative to eliminate Child Labour and the Worst Forms of Child Labour around the world.

“As a Caribbean Community, we must continue to unite to end Child Labour as it deprives children the world over of their childhood and is harmful to their development,” Mr. Gibson said. The Bahamas is looking forward to attending the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference, May 28 to June 12, 2015 in Geneva Switzerland, he said.