Caribbean RoundUp

Antigua and Barbuda says is has become the the first island in the Caribbean to ratify in the International Labor Organization (ILO) C190 against workplace violence and harassment.

In addition, St. John’s says it is the fourth country in the wider Caribbean region considered as the Americans with the other ratification being done by member states in South America.

Government said that 15 member out of 187 of the IL0 have so far ratified C190 against Workplace Violence and Harassment. The convention received unanimous support from workers, employers and government’s at the centennial sitting of the ILO conference in 2019.

The mental and physical well-being of the workforce is of utmost importance to this government and all workplaces are expected to adhere closely to the tenants of C190,” the statement said.

It quoted Minister of Labor, Steadroy Benjamin as indicating that work is being done to draft a national policy on workplace violence and harassment spearheaded by the ministry of gender affairs and with full support from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

He said it is the government’s intention to legislate against workplace violence and harassment.

The Governments of Barbados and Guyana have deepened their partnership in the areas of agriculture and tourism — a move that is being called a “win win” situation for both Caribbean countries (CARICOM) member states.

The partnership will means Barbados will access to farmlands in Guyana and will also be able to explore tourism opportunities and support young people.

According to the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali this partnership can now become a development model for the wider Caribbean.

He made the comment while delivering the feature address at the launch at this year’s Agrofest at the Queen’s Park in Georgetown.

While disclosure that more than 150 Guyanese and 55 companies will be participating in this this year’s festival, Ali said that is just what he expected to be a very fruitful relationship between the two countries.

The Guyanese leader pointed out that the agriculture and tourism sectors, in particular, were in for a big boost.

Ali said Guyana was working to create a direct tourism link between northern Brazil and Barbados and had offered space to Barbados in Guyana’s consulate in the inner state of Alima.

He also revealed plans to merge the two countries’ tourism product by marketing jointly as a singular brand.

In her brief address, Mottley said a shrimp and prawn farming project would also be established.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it will examine strategies for transforming the agri food sector in the Caribbean with an emphasis on improving border trade.

CDB said that the June 1 will up on the just concluded regional discussions in Guyana on food security and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) commitment to reduce member states” food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.

The region’s private sector which is comprised which comprised primarily of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is faced with constrained assess and limited penetration of markets within and beyond CARICOM’s,” CDB VICE president of Operations.

The CDB said that during this dialogue, it will seek to influence, shape and formulate solutions with the input of regional and global enterprises.

Representatives of the International Trade Centre, (ITC), the Caribbean Regional Organization For Standards and Quality (CROSO), the private and public sectors addressed the  June 1 webinar.

They will see to identify opportunities for unlocking regional markets for agri-food and that discussion also explored how the region can increase trade in agriculture and other related commodities and support intensified efforts to achieve food security and increase  the participation in Names, the CDB said.

Georgetown, the capital of the Cayman Island’s, a British Overseas Territory, missed out on being awarded city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, with Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Island becoming the first and only British Overseas Territory to be granted the status.

Stanley is among a  record eight winners selected in the city status competition, which is run on jubilee  years.

The last competition was held 10 years ago to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

In a statement following the announcement, Governor Martyra Proper, expressed his disappointment.

“I know many of you will join me in my disappointing in learning that a very strong application Georgetown has not been successful in achieving City Status,” the governor said.

“This was also the first time Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies were eligible to bid and only one was chosen

Minister of Gender, Olivia Grange is urging organizations to get ready for the implementation of the sexual harassment law.

Under the  law, the workplace and institutions are required to issue sexual harassment policies and bring these two policies to the attention of workers. The policy should advice workers, clients, students, residents, wards and members on how complaints of sexual harassment should be reported and addressed.

Although workplaces and institutions will have 12 months from implementation date of the law to put their policies in place, it is critical that the work begins now. I’ve mandated the Bureau of Gender Affairs to step sensitization on sexual harassment and to assist the organization to develop their policie ,” said Grange.

The minister said she was awaiting the completion of the administrative arrangements for establishment of the Sexual Harassment Tribunal and the Sexual Harassment Unit before announcing the date on which the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021 shall come into operation.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has returned home recently from Cuba where he was awarded that country’s highest national award, the Order of Jose Marti.

Gonsalves is the second Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leader to have received the award from Havana in a one month period.

Late last month, Dominica’s Prime Roosevelt Skerrit received the award.

Both leaders were presented with the award by President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel.

The Order of the Jose Marti is named after the Cuban national, hero, who became a symbol of Cuba’s struggle for independence.

Gonsalves had led a delegation to Cuba recently where he also participated in the Bolivarian Alliance for the People’s of Our (ALBA)  summit, according to a government statement

It said Gonsalves also participated in a series of bilateral meetings.

On May 26, the two countries observed the 30 anniversary of diplomatic ties between them.