Caribbean trade unions unite to shape a new social contract at ILO conference

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (ILO News) – The Conference on the New Social Contract - A Trade Union Perspective for the Caribbean, held on 25-26 February 2025, marked a pivotal moment for workers’ rights and social justice in the region. Organized by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), the event brought together labour leaders, policymakers and international experts to discuss the urgent need for stronger labour protections, economic inclusion, and social justice in the Caribbean.

The regional forum provided a space for Caribbean trade unions to address challenges, share strategies, and shape a stronger social contract at national and regional levels. It also set the stage for their participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025 and discussions on the agenda 2030. 

Key takeaways from the Conference

• Strengthening workers’ rights: Trade union leaders called for a revised social contract that ensures fair wages, better working conditions, and enhanced social protections for all workers, including those in the informal economy.
• Climate change and Just Transition: Experts emphasized the need for policies that support workers in shifting towards greener and more sustainable jobs, while protecting vulnerable communities from economic disruptions.
• Technology and the future of work: Discussions focused on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for digital skills training and policies that safeguard workers’ livelihoods.
• Tripartite cooperation: Government officials, employers, and trade unions reinforced the importance of social dialogue in shaping inclusive labour policies that benefit all sectors of society.
• Pro-employment macroeconomic policies: Participants stressed the importance of a macroeconomic policies that promotes social and labour issues as key steps to achieve sustainable development and a renewed social contract in the Caribbean.

The gathering centered on the concept of a new social contract and examined how existing contracts have failed in providing for the needs of workers. Two key aspects were explored in depth: macroeconomic policies for inclusive and decent job-rich productivity and economic growth, and essential protections for all workers. These are the main drivers that public policies could leverage to build inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and equitable economies that create decent work while protecting workers’ rights and living standards. Trade unions play a crucial role in addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups, ensuring no one is left behind.

Delivering the keynote address, The Honourable Colin E. Jordan, Minister of Labour, Social Security, and Third Sector of Barbados, highlighted the importance of solidarity in shaping a just future for Caribbean workers. He emphasized that, “Social justice must become a lived reality for all of us in the Caribbean who are existing in this space. The new social contract must address how do we make social justice real for our people in the Caribbean, real for workers, real for employers, real for civil society.” Minister Jordan also called for greater regional collaboration in tackling challenges such as climate change, automation, and the informal economy, reinforcing the Government's commitment to policies that put people first.

The Conference also explored the role of Caribbean nations in advancing global labour standards. Ms. Maria Helena André, Director of the Bureau for Workers’ Activities at the ILO, stressed, “Multilateralism as a whole is under attack, the geopolitical landscape is increasingly hostile, and the ideals of democracy as a catalyst for social cohesion, peace, and prosperity are being increasingly challenged. It is therefore of critical importance to engage, and to foster dialogue on how to strengthen the resolve and resilience of the Caribbean region.”

During the panel discussion on establishing a New Social Contract: Limitations of existing governance structures at national and international levels in light of transformational change in the world of work and the way forward, Mr. André Lewis, President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, emphasized, “The lack of enforcement in labour rights throughout the labour administration system is what we see as compromising, to a very large extent, a lot of what is happening in the world of work.”

Mr. Ruben McSween, President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation, added, “I really think the role of government institutions must be to modernize the social contract by ensuring universal social protection , fair wages and agreed upon prescribed productivity standard."

The event concluded with a resounding call by Ms. Maria Helena André for collective action to translate these discussions into concrete policies and practices. "The push for a renewed social contract and social justice is a pivotal moment for unions. It's not a time to stand back, but to actively engage in implementing the changes you want to see. This requires greater collaboration and extending organizing efforts to include those often overlooked, ensuring that the discussion translates into real solutions for workers and enterprises in the Caribbean."

About the New Social Contract

The world is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by changing patterns in globalization, rapid technological change and the ever-present climate crisis. These changes are profoundly affecting the world of work, threatening sustainable economic development and social cohesion in many countries. This has challenged the capacity of many governments to provide adequately for its people and to honour its social contract, given the fact that regulatory systems, structural reforms and other public policies are oftentimes not keeping up with changes in the world of work.

The concept of a "new social contract" emerges as a framework to redefine state-society relations. It provides an opportunity to take stock of the existing social contract between the state and its people, and to assess whether it is on the one hand adapting to the transformation changes, and on the other, is inclusive enough to cover all, particularly those in vulnerable situations. 
Thus, this new social contract should aim to ensure social progress, justice, and inclusivity in all aspects of social and economic life. It should conceivably emphasize the crucial role of the labour market in aligning economic, social, and employment priorities to ensure everyone benefits from economic development through decent work and social protection.

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For more information, visit the Conference’s web page or contact Vera Guseva guseva@ilo.org

This story was first published by ILO Caribbean.