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.