EU Support to facilitate participation of CARIFORUM Civil Society in the Regional Development and Integration Process: Challenges to CARIFORUM Labour, Private Sector and Employers to fulfil their EPA Obligations

A programme to enhance the capacities of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) with a view to their fulfilling their obligations with respect to the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement.

Intended Beneficiaries

Caribbean Congress of Labour, Caribbean Employers’ Confederation and their affiliates in the countries of CARIFORUM

Overall Developmental Objective

Employers and workers through their national and regional organizations engage effectively in social dialogue processes to contribute to the design and implementation of social and economic development policies for Caribbean regional integration and to drive the monitoring process of the social aspects of the CARIFORUM-European Community Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Specific Objectives

1. Enhanced technical and organizational capacity of the regional organizations of employers and workers to participate meaningfully in harmonization of labour laws and practices to support the free movement of a skilled and competitive workforce, the development of an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises across the region, and the promotion of the Caribbean Single Market intra- and extra-regional trade and development.
2. Processes and programmes are in place to assist the regional and national organizations of employers and workers in building and maintaining institutional capacity required to promote and implement internationally recognized core labour standards according to Article 191 of the EPA, and the Decent Work Agenda.
3. Mechanisms established to facilitate the promotion of and participation in dialogue by CEC and CCL within the CARIFORUM-EC Consultative Committee, and to enable them to fulfil their roles in the implementation and governance of the EPA, including monitoring its effect as described in the Social Aspects Chapter.

The Programme was developed based on the findings of the Landell-Mills Report (2010) and the needs identified with the elected leaders of the CEC and CCL. Action to be undertaken under this project is in line with those listed in the Social Aspects Chapter of the EPA, namely:

• Exchange of information, the formulation and strengthening of social and labour legislation in line with international labour standards and on measures aimed at promoting the Decent Work Agenda;
• Strengthening mechanisms for social dialogue, including consultations on the review of labour legislation;
• Adhering to labour legislation and regulations that would reduce the informal economy and increase opportunities for decent jobs
• Contributing to the implementation of training programmes aimed at enhancing skills development to match labour market requirements and ensuring that the corresponding labour market information system is in place to support employment and labour market policies;
• Reinforcing the capacity of workers and employers to participate fully in tripartite bodies to enhance productivity and trade policies in line with the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), 1998; and
• Conducting educational and awareness-raising programmes in areas such as health and safety, workers’ and employers’ rights and responsibilities, and labour market adjustment policies.