Training for establishment of a Labour Market Information System gets underway

In order to promote the free movement of skills within the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Caricom Secretariat is currently hosting a three-day workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection on the establishment of a Labour Market Information System.

According to Caricom’s Deputy Programme Manager of the Free Movement and Labour of the CSME Unit, Dr Olivia Smith, this week’s training is just the first part of a two-part session meant for member states.

“The second training will be on the Information Technology platform which will be utilized for the regional Labour Market Information System and this training is scheduled to take place in Guyana at the end of November 2016,” she said.

She noted that, in addition to the sharing of material on the use of labour market information for planning and policy development, the workshop also provides the Caricom Secretariat with the opportunity to have a firsthand appreciation of the some of the challenges faced by the member states at the national level.

Dr Smith mentioned that the training sessions would give the CARICOM a chance to observe best practices in each individual member state which could then be implemented in other states.

Participants were also reminded of the importance of their role which will help in determining what data and conclusions are used or are reliable.

“This is not just critical to the needs of Guyana but to the functionality of Guyana as a CARICOM partner that embraces the free movement of skills and to enhance our relations with sister countries that have signed on to this important treaty; promote free movement” Asst. Chief Labour & Occupational Health and Safety Officer at the ministry of Social Protection, Lydia Green said. She urged participants to “maximize this training opportunity so that we can have a reliable Labour Market Information System.”

She urged that each member state commit to and ensure that workers are respected; there must be fair treatment of workers without regard to nationality, socio-background or race. These principles are crucial to any effort at enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of the regional workforce, Green added.