Two officials from the ILO Decent Work Team and Office from the Caribbean were among the keynote speakers and panellists at Jamaica’s recent “Labour Talks” roadshow on 18 September 2024 in Montego Bay, part of a nation-wide initiative organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) to foster local level engagement with a wide-range of stakeholders in the labour force. 

Designed to connect jobseekers and employers, disseminate actionable information on the Ministry's various services and facilitate dialogue with social partners on critical issues affecting workers in the formal and informal sectors in Jamaica, the roadshow was themed, “Transforming Jamaica’s Workforce for Greater Resilience and Sustainable Development”.

Illustrative image (ILO)

The event provided a platform for the ILO Caribbean Programme Officer for the Regional Initiative against Child Labour Resel Melville and Just Transition Officer Marissa Sheppard.  to share ongoing and planned interventions by the ILO that provide technical support Jamaica's efforts to accelerate elimination of child labour; to strengthen productivity, and to prepare strategically for a fair and inclusive future of work considering factors such as labour market demand/supply and climate and environmental changes, digitization and advancements in technology.

The roadshow sessions were attended by approximately 300 investors, worker representatives, employers and support personnel who participated in the discussions. A parallel job fair drew 1,000 job seekers and employers who gathered to network and discuss employment opportunities

Applauding Jamaica’s consistency in the fight against child labour and its increasing role as a south-south cooperation partner in the ILO Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour, Resel Melville highlighted, “Jamaica has been one of the leading countries – a flagbearer and a pathfinder for many of its Caribbean counterparts.  Jamaica has always been the go-to Caribbean partner for sharing the good practices and experiences that the country has been implementing and executing as it relates to child labour.”

During an engaging panel discussion on the Future of Work: Labour Market Demand/Supply and Occupational Changes, Marissa Sheppard described the ILO’s framework for a Just Transition as a mechanism for reducing inequalities and increasing inclusive labour markets. “This is a fair shift to the new green economy that Jamaica and the rest of the world is building or moving towards. We have to ensure that persons are not left behind and we take a human-centred approach,” she explained.

In addition to the live broadcast of all technical sessions by the Ministry, both ILO officials participated in radio interviews with local broadcasters Mello FM and Radio Jamaica FM to highlight key areas of ILO collaboration in Jamaica including support for preventing and eliminating child labour; increasing formal employment among household workers; and developing pathways to green jobs.

Minister of Labour, the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., commended the “Labour Talks” roadshow as an opportunity for ensuring that all perspectives are heard as the country navigates the rapidly changing economic and employment landscape. He reiterated that the event was a vital component of the government’s commitment to protecting workers' rights while facilitating economic growth and creating sustainable jobs. "This is our effort to be transformational in terms of connecting talent and opportunities, in terms of providing the responses in an active way, the tangible solutions to questions that we ask all the time: What do we need to do as a country to really make it? How can we breakthrough? How can Jamaica truly develop in a sustainable way?" he emphasized. 

Overall, the “Labour Talks” roadshow was an opportunity for Jamaica’s tripartite constituents and non-traditional partners to ask questions, share their concerns, and engage in interactive sessions. This event marked a key step in a broader initiative to foster inclusivity and transparency in Jamaica's labour market, while ensuring that policies remain relevant and effective in a constantly evolving world. Against this backdrop, the ILO remains committed to continuing to build on our collaboration with the Government of Jamaica to promote a workforce transformation that benefits all workers and employers.