Strategies needed to formalise “gig work” – PM 

Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips has called for bold, unified action to strengthen labour resilience across the Caribbean.

Speaking at the opening of the 13th Caribbean Ministers of Labour Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, today, he emphasised the need for strategic and coordinated approaches to address the region’s evolving workforce challenges.

The high-level forum convened CARICOM Labour Ministers, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other key stakeholders under the theme: “Decent Work for Resilience: Securing the Future of the Caribbean Labour.”

In his address, the Prime Minister identified critical labour issues such as climate change, informal work, digital disruption, and social protection, urging decisive action to safeguard the Caribbean’s workforce.

“The challenges we face as a region are mounting. From climate instability to shifting global labour trends, from digital disruptions to growing informal economies—our response must be coordinated, deliberate, and bold.”

He stressed the necessity of a holistic approach, underscoring the importance of sustainable enterprise development, entrepreneurship, and robust social protections.

Labour resilience, he noted, goes beyond job creation—it requires fortified social, economic, and legal systems that empower workers throughout their employment journey. As a case study in managing economic transformation with equity, Guyana’s national development was presented. Deliberate policies have ensured broadly shared benefits in sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, construction, and eco-tourism.

Guyana’s long-standing commitment to the ILO was reaffirmed, with the Prime Minister highlighting that the country has ratified 47 Conventions and one Protocol since joining in 1966.

Workplace standards have improved through over 10,000 inspections conducted in the past four years, benefiting more than 60,000 employees. Labour services have also been decentralised and digitised to improve accessibility for workers in rural and hinterland communities.

He outlined ongoing efforts to formalise work, including collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority to simplify registration, incentivise compliance, and expand access to social security protections such as the National Insurance Scheme.

He also emphasised the need for regional strategies.

“As this sector continues to expand, regional strategies are needed to formalise gig work, strengthen protections, and ensure that the future of work includes everyone—whether behind a desk, a wheel, or a screen.”

Emerging biological hazards and post-pandemic vulnerabilities have made occupational safety and health increasingly critical, particularly in high-risk industries. Prime Minister Phillips framed this issue as both a legal duty and an essential pillar of resilience.

“In the Caribbean, improving occupational safety must be seen as a legal duty as well as a pillar of resilience. Our economies depend on sectors where exposure risks are high. That’s why best practices—regular safety assessments, emergency response planning, mental health support, and strong safety cultures—must become standard across the region.”

He noted that Guyana is modernising its Occupational Safety and Health Act with ILO support and enhancing inspection capacity tailored to the oil and gas industry.

He underscored the potential of coordinated frameworks to meet regional workforce needs while safeguarding workers’ rights and promoting integration. “A modern, inclusive labour migration system will benefit the entire region—filling gaps, protecting rights, and supporting economic growth through shared responsibility…. when done right, it can address labour shortages and deepen regional integration while increasing productivity.”

Guyana’s Local Content Policy was cited as a model for equitable development, ensuring the benefits of economic growth are widely shared. Efforts to enhance protections for migrant workers have also been strengthened through mechanisms such as the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee on Migrants. Significant investments in human capital development have been prioritised. More than 13,000 individuals—62% of them women—have received training through the Board of Industrial Training, and over 30,000 tertiary scholarships have been awarded under the GOAL initiative.

Reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to sustainability, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the country’s development strategy under its LCDS 2030 framework. He stressed that a just transition to a low-carbon economy must ensure that workers and communities are not left behind. “A just transition means shifting toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy without leaving workers or communities behind. In Guyana, these principles are at the heart of our development strategy.”

He urged the region’s leaders to embrace a unified vision for economic expansion and inclusive growth, stressing that the decisions made at the forum would shape the lives of millions across the Caribbean.

“Our vision is one of economic expansion and inclusive growth where every citizen has a fair shot at prosperity. I urge us all to see this meeting as a call to action. The decisions we make here will shape the lives of millions across the Caribbean.”