The Department of Labour, within the Ministry of Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities, Local Government and Labour has taken another significant step toward strengthening occupational safety and health (OSH) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through a three-day National Tripartite Workshop on Modernizing the Occupational Safety and Health Framework.
Held from 23–25 June 2026 in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the workshop brought together representatives of Government, employers and workers’ unions to review the country's existing occupational safety and health framework and identify practical measures to strengthen workplace safety, improve reporting systems, and enhance social dialogue.
The workshop forms part of the Department's ongoing efforts to modernize labour administration and promote safer and healthier working environments across all sectors. Participants examined the country's current legislative and institutional framework, including progress toward implementing the new Occupational Safety and Health Act, which has been passed and is awaiting proclamation, as well as the updating of a National Occupational Safety and Health Profile, Policy, and finalized Programme.
Discussions also focused on the importance of preventive workplace safety measures, stronger labour inspection, improved data collection, and clearly defined institutional responsibilities. Participants explored ways to align further Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' occupational safety and health system with international labour standards and the ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health 2024–2030.
The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Ariel Pino, ILO Social Protection and Occupational Safety and Health Specialist for the Caribbean, who led technical sessions on international occupational safety and health standards, including the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). Participants also examined a roadmap toward the possible future ratification of these important international conventions.
Building on the occupational safety and health discussions, the programme included specialized sessions on international labour standards facilitated by Mr. Shingo Miyake, ILO Labour and International Labour Standards Specialist. These sessions strengthened participants' understanding of reporting obligations, tripartite consultation mechanisms, and implementation of international labour standards, with participation from officers of the Department of Labour, Cabinet Office, Maritime Administration and other stakeholders.
The Department of Labour recognizes that strong partnerships between Government, employers and workers remain essential to creating safer workplaces and promoting compliance with national legislation and international labour standards. The workshop reaffirmed the important role of the National Tripartite Committee in fostering dialogue, consensus-building and continuous improvement of labour governance.
The Department extends its appreciation to the International Labour Organization for its continued technical support and to all participants for their valuable contributions. The knowledge gained during the workshop will help guide ongoing efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health systems, enhance labour administration and protect the safety, health and well-being of workers throughout Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Department of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Regional Tripartite Technical Workshop on the Development of the CARICOM Regional Labour Migration Policy Framework and Action Programme (RLMPF/AP), held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 21–22 May 2026.
The workshop brought together representatives from CARICOM Member States, regional employers' and workers' organizations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to advance the development of a coordinated regional approach to labour migration governance. The initiative supports CARICOM's mandate to promote safe, orderly and regular labour mobility while strengthening regional integration and protecting the rights of migrant workers.
Representatives from the Department of Labour (SVG) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in technical discussions to validate the draft Regional Labour Migration Policy Framework and Action Programme. The consultations focused on developing practical policy recommendations to improve labour migration governance, strengthen labour market resilience, and enhance collaboration among CARICOM Member States.
The workshop also provided participants with an overview of the recently completed CARICOM Labour Market Analysis, which examined regional labour market trends, employment patterns, migration flows, demographic changes, and emerging workforce challenges. The findings will serve as an important evidence base for the development of policies that promote productive employment, skills mobility, and sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean.
Discussions centered on key policy areas including labour migration governance, fair recruitment practices, skills recognition, labour market information systems, social protection, and the promotion of decent work. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to address labour shortages, respond to demographic and climate-related challenges, and facilitate the free movement of skilled workers within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The participation of the Department of Labour reflects Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' continued commitment to contributing to regional labour policy development and ensuring that national priorities are reflected in CARICOM initiatives.
The Department of Labour welcomes the continued collaboration among CARICOM, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in advancing a comprehensive Regional Labour Migration Policy Framework that supports economic development, social inclusion, and the protection of workers' rights throughout the Caribbean.
ILO Mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Advancing Decent Work and Social Justice
September 22, 2025
A delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) has wrapped up a significant week-long mission in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from September 15-19,2025, aimed at strengthening engagement and deepening collaboration in the promotion of decent work and social justice for all Vincentians.
The team was led Dr. Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Office for the Caribbean, and included Ms. Ingerlyn Caines-Francis, Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Abdelmalik Muhummed, Employment and Labour Market Specialist, and Ms. Vera Guseva, Workers’ Activities Specialist.
Throughout the visit, the ILO team held consultations with key stakeholders, including Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Minister of Labour Hon. Saboto Caesar, Labour Commissioner Ms. Racquel Jacobs-Lawrence, UN Country Coordination Officer Ms. Lafleur Quammie, Director of the National Insurance Scheme Mr. Stewart Haynes, General Secretary of the National Workers Movement Mr. Noel Jackson, as well as representatives of the St. Vincent Public Service Union.
Discussions during the visit focused on rebuilding engagement with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, refining priority areas for support, and enhancing collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Additionally, the team aimed to identify opportunities to align efforts with the United Nations' programming in the country. Key discussions included the ILO's support for St. Vincent's 13th Actuarial Valuation and the exploration of establishing an Unemployment Insurance Scheme.
The ILO reaffirmed its dedication to fostering collaboration with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, ensuring that efforts to enhance living and working conditions are prioritized for the benefit of all citizens.
Check out the list of new employment opportunities here: https://dol.gov.vc/dol/index.php/employment
On Thursday 21st April, 2022, the Labour Department, which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation and Labour (MoA), hosted the virtual presentation of the Labour Market Analysis Training Manual.
The Labour Market Analysis Training Manual (LMATM) emerged out of a concerted venture to enhance technical capacities and underlying competencies of both prospective and existing labour market analysts across the various sectoral spaces of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Commissioned by the Department of Labour alongside its strategic partners and other stakeholders intimately connected to labour market planning and policy making, this LMATM represents the most comprehensive training guide and tool to be used for trainers and trainees in different types of training environments.
The presentation was conducted by lead consultant Mr. Dwayne Devonish of the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. On May 16th -20th, 2022, Mr. Devonish would lead a series of training sessions with key stakeholders as part of the Labour Market Analysis and Training Consultancy.
This is a capacity building component of SVG Human Development Service Delivery (HDSD) Project which was implemented by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the support of the International Development Association (The World Bank).