Caribbean Employers And Unions Agree To Establish Formal National Bipartite Forums

GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Senior officials from Caribbean trade union and employer organizations have reached agreement on the establishment of bipartite forums in individual Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

In a joint statement following a meeting here, earlier this week, President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) David Massiah, and Wayne Chen, President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) said, the forums would deepen cooperation between trade unions and employers’ organizations to better coordinate research and advocacy on matters of mutual importance.

“These bipartite forums will mark a new era in the cooperation between workers’ and employers’ organizations that will no doubt improve the region’s business climate,” said Chen.

Massiah said, “both labour and employers demonstrated commitment and support of the work done over the three days.

“This augurs well for the future success of the programme which will send positive messages to our governments.”

Director, ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Claudia Coenjaerts, said that the mechanisms for social dialogue in the Caribbean need to be strengthened, noting that during times of financial crisis, “social dialogue is our key tool in the bag when addressing economic downturn.

“Tripartism and social dialogue are essential building blocks of a peaceful and thriving economic environment.”

She said, that the European Union-funded project is an opportunity for workers’ and employers’ organizations to play their role in the implementation, governance and monitoring of the effects of the EPA Social Aspects Chapter.

“This project is your opportunity to build a CEC and CCL strong enough to have a recognized status in COHSOD and COTED, strong enough to influence social and economic CARICOM policies.”

One of the key conclusions of the meeting was a recognition of the need for both employer and worker representatives to be more closely involved in the curriculum and strategy development of national vocational and technical training institutions.

The meeting also felt that youth unemployment is the single most pressing issue to be addressed in the region and ensuring that coherence exists between job market requirements and the skills of job seekers is a top priority.

Representatives also assessed the national monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries.

“It was agreed that a more consolidated focus was needed in each of the countries to ensure that appropriate measures be put in place to enhance the benefits to be derived from the EPA,” according to the statement issued here.