The Honourable Keoma Griffith, Guyana’s Minister of Labour and Chair of the Fifty-First Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Labour, underscored the urgency of addressing persistent labour market challenges across the Caribbean Community, during his remarks on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
Minister Griffith indicated that the issues before the Council are “both timely and strategic,” pointing to governance gaps, labour migration pressures, high levels of informality, weak job creation, skills mismatches. Discussions also focused on the evolving international labour agenda ahead of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva next month.
The Chair also referenced the recommendations from the Meeting of Officials (held on 23 April 2026) which focused on strengthening labour migration governance, coordinating CARICOM positions before the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and deepening engagement with social partners.
The CARICOM Secretariat’s Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary General – CARICOM Single Market and Trade (CSMT) and his team supported the Meeting.
The Meeting advanced several strategic priorities for the Region’s labour sector. CARICOM Ministers of Labour and regional officials discussed reviewing progress on the CARICOM Labour Migration Policy Framework and Action Plan, as well as preparations for matters to be addressed at the upcoming International Labour Conference and the ILO Governing Body in Barbados.
In addition, participants examined new analytical insights from the ILO on job-rich growth and formalisation. They considered employer perspectives on how best to strengthen competitiveness and foster sustainable enterprise development.
The Fifty-First CARICOM COHSOD – Labour reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based policies and collaborative approaches to strengthen labour governance, enhance mobility, and support sustainable growth across the Caribbean Community.
About COHSOD-Labour
The CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) promotes human and social development. Specifically, Article 17 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas states that the Council, which consists of Ministers designated by the Member States, will: promote and develop co-ordinated policies and programmes to improve the living and working conditions of workers and take appropriate measures to facilitate the organisation and development of harmonious labour and industrial relations in the Community.
