The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be exploring labour market inequalities and how borrowing member countries can achieve inclusion in the workplace.

At the upcoming 54^th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, to be held June 17 – 21 in Ottawa, Canada, the CDB will convene global experts for a forum entitled “Employment Equity: Promoting Inclusion in Caribbean Labour Markets”.

Scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, the seminar should focus on long-standing inequalities which affect employment prospects of women, youth, and indigenous populations, as well as solutions to address them.

“Inequitable labour markets hold back inclusive, sustainable economic growth and CDB is taking a leadership role in driving positive change. We look forward to this invaluable engagement with our stakeholders and interest groups as we strengthen our partnerships to further address systemic inequalities and develop the region,” CDB’s Acting Vice-President, Operations, Therese Turner-Jones stated.

The event’s agenda promises robust discussions and actionable insights, including the findings of the CDB’s comprehensive Labour Market Differentials study. The research outlines gaps in opportunities and differential impacts on various vulnerable groups. It additionally analyses the future of work and the job market outlook in key sectors as the Caribbean strives towards an inclusive and equitable labour landscape.

According to Ian Durant, director of economics at CDB, “The Caribbean has a tremendous opportunity to redefine our workforce paradigms as economies rebound from the pandemic’s impacts. We must act decisively to level the playing field and unlock our full potential, and this seminar will spark critical dialogue and identify concrete solutions to dismantle the systemic barriers facing vulnerable groups.”

With this in mind, he urge all stakeholders to join the exchange of ideas on sustaining growth in the region’s labour markets.

The cross-sectoral engagement will connect the dots between labour market outcomes for vulnerable populations and impacts on economic growth and development. There will be a mapping exercise to create truly inclusive and equitable labour markets. In addition, innovative practices for transforming labour markets and the future of work will be explored, and recommendations from the study will be presented.

The panel of participants includes Colin Jordan, minister of labour, social security and third sector in Barbados; Dr Halima DeShong, senior lecturer and head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus; Wilson Pearce, senior director – Global Business Development for the Canadian Commercial Corporation; and Josée Bégin, assistant chief statistician responsible for social, health and Labour Statistics Field at Statistics Canada. CDB’s Acting Vice-President of Operations, Mrs. Therese Turner-Jones will serve as moderator.

The seminar will be livestreamed on CDB’s Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube platforms. The event should be of particular interest to persons involved in national planning, employment, research, gender and indigenous pursuits.