The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports, the Hon. Lovitta Foggo, JP, MP recently represented Bermuda at the 11th ILO Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour in Barbados.

The meeting of Ministers, which is typically held every 2 years, took place from May 14 – 15, ahead of the 108th International Labour Conference in Geneva next month.

The event is aligned with the recently released ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work Report titled “Work for a Brighter Future”, which was released in January 2019. The meeting also coincides with the ILO’s Centenary year and the Organization’s 100th Anniversary observations.

The Report explores major transformations faced by the world of work that are driven by globalization; the technological and digital revolution; global warming and climate change; and, demographic shifts. It also examines how governments, employers, workers and society as a whole are affected.

With a theme of Shaping a Brighter Future of Work for the Caribbean – this week’s meeting offered Labour Ministers an opportunity to:

? assess the relevance of the Report “Work for a Brighter Future” and the framework it offers for shaping a better future for the Caribbean, including a discussion on what a ‘human-centered agenda’ means for the Caribbean;

? consider current developments in the context of the Conclusions of previous Ministerial Meetings in the Caribbean; and

? take part in discussions aimed at preparing the Caribbean’s contribution to the Centenary ILC in Geneva in June 2019.

Featured speakers at this week’s meeting included:

? The Hon. Colin E. Jordan, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Barbados; and

? Mr. Guy Ryder, Director-General, ILO.

Minister Foggo said today, “I was very pleased to represent Bermuda at this critical meeting. Many of the conversations I had with my Caribbean Ministerial colleagues regarding labour and the workforce are relevant here in Bermuda. Some of the key topics centered around jobs and the future workforce, strong institutions of work and the need to improve the quality of working lives.

“I shared with my counterparts that some of the key focuses for the Government of Bermuda include reducing unemployment, expanding job creation and increasing the social dialogue about the creation of a living wage and a Wage Commission. Overall, we had constructive discussions and I look forward to continuing the conversation next month at the International Labour Conference in Geneva where collectively we will have an opportunity to shape Caribbean positions.”

Minister Foggo who returns to Bermuda today (May 16) was accompanied by Gabrielle Cann, Manager of the Labour Relations Section.

Edward Ball Jr., General Secretary of the Bermuda Public Service Union also attended the meeting, representing the Caribbean Congress of Labour.

• Press release from the Ministry of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports