Tripartism is a critical dimension of the Ministry of Labour’s activities and refers to the interaction of government, employers and workers (through their representatives) as equal and independent partners to seek solutions to issues of common concern.
Barbados reaffirmed its commitment to tripartism by ratifying the International Labour Organization’s Convention concerning Tripartite Consultations to Promote the Implementation of International Labour Standards (Convention No. 144, 1976). Under this convention the Ministry of Labour is required to establish procedures which ensure effective tripartite consultations with respect to International Labour Organizations (ILO) matters, specifically relating to ILO Conventions and Recommendations, which establish labour standards.
Therefore, in accordance with ILO Convention No. 144 and its accompanying Recommendation No. 152, the Ministry of Labour established The C-144 Committee, which was officially approved by the Cabinet on January 15, 2004. It was agreed that the committee should be consulted with respect to the following:
- Government replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the international conference and Government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the conference.
- The proposals to be made to the competent authority (Parliament) or authorities in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations pursuant to Article 19 of the Constitution of the ILO.
- The re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, to consider what measures might be taken to promote their implementation and ratifications as appropriate.
- Questions arising out of reports to be made to the International Labour Office under Article 22 of the constitution of the ILO.
- Proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions as well as other matters including:
- the examination of existing labour legislation and proposals where necessary for the enactment of appropriate new legislation to deal with labour issues; and
- issues relating to trade liberalization and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) as they affect the Ministry of Labour.
Members of the C144 Committee
TBA – Chairman
Mr. Mitchell Codrington- Deputy Chairman
Other Members
Ms. RoseAnn Richards
Permanent Secretary (Labour) or Nominee
Permanent Secretary (Civil Service) or Nominee
Permanent Secretary (Economic Affairs) or Nominee
Chief Labour Officer or Nominee
Three (3) Representatives of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB)
Three (3) Representatives of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC)
