Labor Cooperation in the Framework of the CAFTA-DR

1
Labor Cooperation in the Framework of the
CAFTA-DR

• Supporting the institutional strengthening of the
  Ministries of Labor and Enforcement of Labor Laws
• First Working Groups Meeting of the XV IACML

2
The Labor Dimension in Central America and the
Dominican Republic, Building upon Progress
Reinforcing Compliance and Enhancing Capacities

• Background
• Initiative launched in the context of the
  CAFTA-DR
• Determined support from the Government of the
  United States of America
• Cooperation Objectives

3
PRIORITY AREAS SUBJECT TO COOPERATION

• Labor laws and their enforcement
• Budget and personnel of the Ministry of Labor
• Labor Courts
• Gender and Discrimination
• Child Labor
• Promotion of a Culture of Compliance

4
Financial Assistance for the Strengthening of the
Labor Capacity of the CAFTA-DR Countries 2005-2007

• Modernization of the Labor Justice System 11.74
  m
• Strengthening of the Ministries of Labor 17.1
  m
• Gender and Discrimination
  6.48 m
• Promotion of a Culture of Compliance 14.85 m
• ILO/Verification Project 8.98 m
• Total
  59.15 m

5
PROYECTS IN EXECUTION 2005

• Strengthening of Labor Rights in Central America
  and Dominican Republic ILO
• Strengthening of Labor Justice in Central America
  and the Dominican Republic MSD
• We all work We all have work rights
• Promoting a culture of compliance Awareness,
  capacity building and advocacy in the CAFTA-DR
  countries
• Regional competiveness promotion through Social
  Responsibility
• Worker-based program for the development of a
  culture of compliance of Work Rights

6
PROYECTS TO BE EXECUTED 2007

• Training for Public Defendants and Legal
  Assistance Providers
• Promotion of the Civil Society's commitment with
  the Judicial System
• Strengthening of the Civil Service System for
  Labor Inspectors ES-HN
• Promotion of Interest based in Negotiation
  Techniques
• Ensuring Social Security Benefits in the Formal
  Sector ES
• Maximizing Resources through Strategic Planning
• Best Practices among Employers and Worker's
  Organizations

7
PROYECTS TO BE EXECUTED 2007

• Strengthening of Worker's Organizations
• Strengthening of Labor Laws Compliance in the
  Agricultural Sector Gt.
• Support for alliances to improve Labor and
  Environmental Laws
• Attend to Informal Economy Workers
• Promotion of a Tripartite Social Dialogue
• Decrease of Gender discrimination and other forms
  of discrimination
• Protection of Workers of the Sugar Cane Sector

8
Technical Contributions of the Cooperation

• CAFTA-DR Vice-Ministers of Labor Group
• Implementation plan including calendar and
  financing commitments
• Precise and effective follow-up process for the
  coordination mechanism which ensures that the
  resources are effectively focused on the White
  Paper's recommendations
• National coordination boards

9

• We recognize that despite the efforts and the
  progress achieved by our countries in each of the
  six strategic or priority areas established in
  the White Paper, it is still necessary to adopt a
  series of measures and mechanisms that guarantee
  the adequate enforcement of labor norms, as well
  as the creation of capacities that contribute to
  the overcoming of obstacles and deficiencies that
  still exist when attempting to translate labor
  laws into concrete actions.

10

• THANK YOU