GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, on Monday called on Caribbean countries to address the need to renew the social compact and ensure that social justice remains the foundation for lasting peace.
Addressing the opening of the 13th ILO Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers here, Houngbo said the region must also examine ways to ensure shared prosperity, equal opportunities, and a just condition for all.
The agenda of the meeting includes formalizing the informal economy, labor migration, social development, and preparation for the 113th session of the International Labour Conference.
The conference here is being held under the theme “Decent Work for Resilience: Securing the Future of Caribbean Labour,” the organizers said it provides an opportunity to ensure that the region’s labor priorities are heard globally.
“At the ILO, we have found ourselves with both an advantage and a responsibility. First, we possess the institutional means to renew the social contracts…which has been at the (heart) of the ILO since its inception.”
He said this year offers a very significant opportunity given the efforts by the United Nations General Secretary, Antonio Guterres, to convene the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, from November 4-6, aiming to address social development gaps and recommit to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
“This summit will serve as a critical platform to discuss and define the global steps necessary to address our common cause in improving social justice…focusing on jobs, employment, and decent jobs.
“I hope that the discussions here will help us identify priorities we must take in the strategies…to effectively renew the social contracts as we prepare for this important second summit,” Houngbo told the delegates.
He said it is also worth noting that in June, the ILC adopted a resolution recognizing the importance of employment and decent work for promoting peace, preventing crises, and building resilience, emphasizing the ILO’s role in achieving lasting peace through social justice.
“It also calls for significant progress on universal social protection, youth employment…and the implementation of international labor standards as well as the support of the position of informal to formal economies.”
Houngbo said the path forward requires collaboration in building societies that prioritize fairness, stability, and opportunities. He was looking forward to the discussions on Monday and continuing the deliberations in Geneva when the ILO holds its annual International Labour Conference (ILC) to discuss and set international labor standards and policies.
He said also he was looking forward to the ILO Americas Regional meeting in October.
Additionally, on Tuesday, the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat will convene a meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – (Labour) to address further critical issues related to labor in the Caribbean.
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