CARICOM Labor Ministers Commit to Unified Strategy for Free Movement

At the Thirty-fourth Special Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Labor, held in Georgetown, Guyana, on April 8, CARICOM Labor Ministers agreed to adopt a harmonized approach to address key labor issues impacting the free movement of people within the region. The meeting, chaired by Grenada’s Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Labor, and Consumer Affairs, Senator Claudette Joseph, brought together ministers, technical experts, and regional stakeholders.

This pivotal gathering aimed to solidify a unified position ahead of the International Labor Conference (ILC), scheduled for June 2–13, 2025. The discussions come at a critical juncture in the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), with significant progress marked by the signing of the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation by most Member States – a major step toward deeper regional integration.

CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett highlighted the protocol’s flexibility, stating, “Countries ready to advance free movement can do so, while simultaneous collective progress remains the ideal scenario.” She emphasized the importance of Labor Ministers’ input, adding, “We look forward to this meeting’s decisions to guide the Secretariat in supporting regional labor priorities effectively.”

Senator Joseph echoed the urgency of advancing free movement, noting that CARICOM Heads of Government had set a deadline for its implementation. “We are nearing ratification of the protocol designed to facilitate this process,” she said.

The Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation, adopted in March 2022 during the Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting in Belize, enables deeper collaboration among willing Member States, even if others are not yet prepared to fully participate. This landmark agreement underscores CARICOM’s commitment to fostering regional integration and mobility.