Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, will attend the 10th International Labour Organisation (ILO) Meeting of Caribbean Ministers in Jamaica from February 22 to 24.

The Minister’s attendance at the meeting will follow his participation in the Small Islands Developing States symposium being held in the Bahamas from February 20 to 22.

Minister Pickering will be accompanied by Labour Commissioner, Mrs. Janice Rymer and will engage in discussions about practical actions to maximise the local benefits of labour recommendations.

The Deputy Premier said that the Labour Department has seen several changes and improvements over the years including the re-establishment of the Employment Services Unit, the establishment of the Arbitration Tribunal and even the current, ongoing changes through the Financial Services Implementation Unit (FSIU) that has explored ways to enhance internal processes.

Honourable Pickering said, “Through organisations like the ILO we hope to continue to advance the standard of labour laws and practices to improve the quality of life for all our people in the Virgin Islands.”

Director-General International Labour Organisation, Mr. Guy- Ryder has said that the ILO is strongly committed to convening the Caribbean Ministers of Labour Meeting every two years, to listen to the constituents and to respond to their needs with practical solutions.

The meeting will be held under the theme “Realising Decent Work Under the 2030 Agenda,” and will address labour issues such asevaluating ‘decent work’ to the national and regional policy level, strategies for harmonisation of labour laws and improving productivity and competitiveness - the role of the Labour Management relations.

The meeting will be coordinated by the ILO Office for the Caribbean and is expected to bring together 15 Ministers with responsibility for Labour, as well as Permanent Secretaries and high-level officials from 22 countries and territories of the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

Photo Caption: Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering (Photo Credit: Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)