Trade unions across the Caribbean are being challenged to broaden their focus beyond traditional labour issues and place greater emphasis on human rights and protecting workers from discrimination.
That was one of the key messages emerging from a recently concluded three-day workshop in Antigua that brought together representatives from several trade unions and special interest groups to examine the implementation of ILO Convention 190.
The workshop, facilitated by Public Services International (PSI) and the FNV Rainbow Network, sought to strengthen the capacity of unions to address violence and harassment in the world of work while advancing the rights of LGBTIQA+ workers in public services unions throughout the Caribbean.
Speaking following the workshop, PSI Sub-Regional Secretary for the Caribbean, Sandra Massiah, said one of the challenges within the region is that many unions have not given sufficient attention to human rights issues, particularly discrimination.
“What I recognize, because we’ve been doing these workshops across the Caribbean, is that a number of our unions are not focusing as much as perhaps they ought to be on human rights issues,” Massiah said.
She explained that deeply ingrained beliefs can sometimes prevent union representatives from recognising discrimination in all its forms.
“The indoctrination that they may have had, religious or otherwise, tends to cloud issues and understanding what discrimination is. In a lot of cases, it’s unconscious discrimination, and that is what needs to be tackled first.”
Massiah stressed that building stronger, more inclusive workplaces and unions requires more than simply understanding labour laws. It also requires developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to confront prejudice and ensure every worker is treated with dignity and respect.
The workshop provided detailed training on Convention 190 with a view to strengthen the teaching and leadership abilities of trade unionists, allowing unions to become more self-reliant in educating their own members.
Participants also examined Antigua and Barbuda’s draft legislation on the prevention of sexual harassment and violence in the world of work. The legislation was reviewed alongside Convention 190 and its accompanying recommendations to identify areas where it could be strengthened before being passed in the Parliament.
According to Massiah, the timing of the workshop presented a valuable opportunity for unions to formulate recommendations and develop strategies to advocate for legislation that fully reflects the international standard that Antigua and Barbuda has already committed itself to by ratifying Convention 190.
Massiah also praised the level of engagement shown by participants, which included shop stewards and executive members from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union. She said the discussions demonstrated growing openness to conversations that were once considered difficult within the labour movement.
“There’s discussion. People are talking about things that used to be taboo to talk about in unions before. So we’re making progress, and it’s something that we continue to build on.”
Massiah expressed optimism that the workshop marks another step toward ensuring Caribbean trade unions become stronger advocates not only for better wages and working conditions, but also for workplaces that are free from violence, harassment and discrimination for every worker.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Caribbean Unions Urged to Place Greater Focus on Human Rights and Discrimination.