A delegation of labour officials attended the International Labour Organisation Conference in Switzerland.

Minister of Labour and Immigration, Derrick Burgess, led the delegation of nine people, which included heads of the Bermuda Industrial Union, Bermuda Trade Union, Bermuda Employer’s Council, Public Service Union and Bermuda Hotel Association.

The delegates attended the 96th session of the International Labour Organisation, which took place in Geneva Switzerland during the first two weeks June.

Mr. Burgess told the House of Assembly on Friday: “As always, the Bermuda delegation was comprised of representatives of workers groups, employers and Government, in accordance with the terms of the Tripartite Consultation Convention 1976.

“The Government of Bermuda remains a strong advocate of tripartism, recognising the important roles to be played by trade unions and employer groups as polices and programmes are developed to enhance and promote the prosperity of the people of Bermuda — hence the Government’s ongoing commitment to fund Bermuda’s annual participation in the ILO Conference. “It is my hope that the camaraderie and mutual respect that united the delegation whilst in Geneva will characterise the industrial relations scene here in Bermuda during the days and years ahead.”

He added that some of the highlights of the two week trip were addresses made by Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller who urged the delegates to work together to eliminate global poverty and a speech given by Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade.

Over 3,000 people attended the two week event to discuss labour issues.

Speeches were given by the leaders of Bahrain, Chile, Ghana, Jamaica, Senegal and Sri Lanka.