Source : Erasmus Williams FB
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – CARICOM Ministers of Labour convened on Tuesday, January 20, to review recent developments related to free movement and the broader labour agenda across the Region.
Under the chairmanship of Honourable Keoma Griffith, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning of Guyana, Ministers focused on key priorities, including the definition and qualification criteria for aviation personnel and the proposed expansion of professions eligible for free movement under the aviation category of the CARICOM Skills Regime, according to the CARICOM Secretariat.
The meeting also received an update on the implementation of Full Free Movement among four Member States—Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines —which officially commenced on October 1, 2025.
Additional items on the agenda included discussions on the CARICOM Labour Migration Policy Framework and Action Plan**, which provides a comprehensive guide for Member States to effectively manage labour migration. The framework reflects Community priorities and previous CARICOM decisions, aligns with international and regional labour and migration standards, and incorporates input from tripartite partners and other key stakeholders.
Ministers also discussed preparations for the June 2026 International Labour Conference, as well as matters related to the ongoing work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Body.
Minister Griffith emphasized that the issues under consideration are critical to advancing labour governance and deepening regional integration within CARICOM.
The Thirty-Sixth Special Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Labour brought together representatives from Member States, social partners, associate institutions, the CARICOM Secretariat, and the ILO.
The meeting reaffirmed CARICOM’s collective commitment to strengthening labour governance, promoting fair recruitment practices, ensuring decent working conditions, and enhancing labour mobility in line with international standards.
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