- Three-week course aimed to enhance understanding and strategic utilization of ILO’s supervisory mechanisms to advocate for workers’ rights.
GENEVA, Switzerland – A comprehensive training program designed for trade union leaders has recently concluded, focusing on empowering participants with essential knowledge and skills to improve the enforcement of international labour standards (ILS). This initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of trade unions in the Caribbean region.
Spanning from July 22 to August 9, the program incorporated both online and in-person sessions to enrich participants’ understanding of ILO’s supervisory frameworks while enhancing their advocacy strategies for workers’ rights.
Representatives from countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago attended the event.
“The crucial function of trade unions in administering ILS deserves recognition, coupled with their right to report on these standards’ application. Historically, however, trade unions in this region have shown limited activity in submitting reports to the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR). This tailored program encourages Caribbean trade unions to actively engage in the reporting process,” stated a representative from the organizing team. Participants engaged in practical exercises designed to prepare submissions to the CEACR and develop strategic action plans while delving into both theoretical and practical applications of ILS.
The program commenced with a week dedicated to the fundamentals of ILS through self-directed online activities, which served as a prerequisite to deeper discussions. The second week featured expert-led webinars that provided participants with an intricate understanding of ILO’s supervisory mechanisms and the international labour agenda, equipping them to hold governments accountable for the ratified Conventions and assess the implementation of ILS in their countries.
The final week transitioned to an in-person workshop in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where participants consolidated their learning through hands-on exercises. They engaged in drafting reports for CEACR submission and created strategic work plans focused on ILS, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration for labour law reforms and occupational safety and health principles.
“This impactful program addresses gaps in knowledge and support for Caribbean trade unions, enabling them to reinforce their roles in the protection of economic and social rights for all workers in the region,” a spokesperson commented.
This training has equipped the 20 participating trade union leaders with enhanced capabilities to ensure the effective application of ILS in their respective countries, fostering greater advocacy for workers’ rights and amplifying their voices on national, regional, and international platforms.
