A meeting between the island’s Minister of Economy and Labour and the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation showed support for using the need for social justice to shape policy, the Government said today.

Jason Hayward represented Bermuda at the ILO’s twentieth American Regional Meeting in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from October 1 to 3.

It was the first regional meeting since 2018, when the event was held in Panama.

The Government said: “Delegates from ILO member states across the Americas, representing governments, employers’ organisations and workers’ organisations, gathered under the theme ‘Democracy, Peace, Decent Work and Social Dialogue: Uniting the Americas for a Future with Sustainable Development and Social Justice’.

“The meeting reaffirmed the collective commitment to democracy, peace, social justice, sustainable development, growth and decent work, with social dialogue recognised as central to the ILO’s mandate.”

Mr Hayward took part in a meeting with Gilbert F. Houngbo, the ILO Director-General.

“This opportunity reaffirmed Bermuda's support for the ILO's mandate, conventions and recommendations,” the Government said.

“It endorsed the notion that social justice is not just an abstract aspiration but an urgent and tangible need that must guide economic, social and labour policies.

“The minister also highlighted the unique perspective of overseas territories and discussed with the director-general the mechanisms required to strengthen the voice of overseas territories within the region, to aid in their meaningful contribution to the ILO’s work programme.”

Mr Hayward said: “Bermuda is proud to stand alongside our regional partners in advancing the principles of decent work, democracy and social justice.

“This meeting was an important opportunity not only to reaffirm our collective commitment but also to ensure that the unique voices of overseas territories are heard and represented in shaping the future of labour policy in the Americas.”

Talks over the three days focused on four key areas.

They included job creation, social protection and sustainable development, which covered the importance of transitioning from informal to formal employment and supporting the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Under strengthening democratic institutions, rights and social dialogue, sessions spoke to promoting freedom of association and collective bargaining as well as renewing commitments to eliminate violence, harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

In the area of “just transition towards resilient societies”, talks covered encouraging decent work in emerging sectors, integrating climate resilience into labour and employment policies, and promoting tripartite co-operation in job creation and labour market development.

Meanwhile, sessions on public policy strategies for skills and vocational training included topics such as enhancing national learning systems, facilitating smooth transitions for young people from education to employment and promoting strategies to retain skills critical to the long-term sustainability of economies.

“The regional meeting presented an unmissable opportunity to reaffirm the stakeholders’ commitment to forging a social contract based on equality, inclusion and sustainability,” the Government said.

“The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Putnam Cana Declaration for democracy, peace, decent work and social dialogue: uniting the Americas for a future with sustainable development and social justice.

“This declaration sets priorities for a regional agenda for decent work and social justice, as well as guidelines for future action.”

Mr Hayward was accompanied by Gabrielle Cann, the director of the Department of Labour.