The Bahamas Serves as a model of Tripartism and social dialogue at 
113th International Labour Conference

11th June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The 113^th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) is taking place in Geneva from 2-13 June 2025. The ILC is the annual labour parliament of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) bringing together representatives of Government, Workers and Employers from all ILO Member States, to advance the cause of social justice. 

The delegation of The Bahamas to the Conference is being led by the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, M.P., Minister of Labour and the Public Service of The Bahamas.  The delegation also includes the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, M.P., Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment, H.E. Patricia A. Hermanns, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva and Mr. Howard Thompson, Director of the Department of Labour, Ministry of Labour and the Public Service.  The Bahamas’ tripartite delegation comprises diverse representation of leaders and members from within The Bahamas’ Labour Movement, including representatives of the Trade Union Congress, the National Congress of Trade Unions, the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union, the Bahamas Educators, Counsellors and Allied Workers Union and the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union.

On 10 June 2025, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, delivered her plenary address highlighting the “ambitious path” on which The Bahamas has embarked to develop a “modern, progressive labour agenda” that contributes to generating inclusive growth, protecting the rights of workers and providing access to decent work for each and every citizen. Minister Glover-Rolle further noted that the implementation of the second-generation Decent Work Country Programme was supporting a strengthened approach to social dialogue and governance. 

Ms Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and the Public Service, Bahamas. Conference Plenary afternoon session. 113th International Labour Conference, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. 10 June 2025. Photo Pierre Albouy / ILO.

A clear demonstration of the concrete results yielded by these efforts was the facilitation of some 56 industrial agreements in the past three and a half years, delivering improved wages and benefits across the private and public sectors. Notably, The Bahamas has achieved the lowest unemployment rate since 2008. Legislative reform, efforts to address shifting labour realities due to climate change and digital transformation as well as the expansion of opportunities in the green, blue and orange economies, were also emphasised.  The Minister conveyed gratitude to the ILO Caribbean Office and other partners for their continued technical support to The Bahamas and reaffirmed the support of The Bahamas for the founding principles of the ILO and for its ongoing work to fulfil the important mandate of advancing social justice at the global level.

In the true spirit of social dialogue, on 9 June 2025, Mr. Darrin Woods, President of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, and member of the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress, delivered a plenary statement on behalf of Bahamian Workers, noting that The Bahamas has reaped the benefits of labour in improving the standard of living for citizens and residents.  Mr. Woods hailed numerous initiatives, including the historic launch of the National Apprenticeship Program and ongoing efforts toward the establishment of the first Bahamas National Productivity Council. He further noted that Workers in The Bahamas were committed to strengthening the relationship between jobs, rights, and economic growth.

Mr. Darrin Woods delivering an address to the plenary.

The International Labour Organization is the oldest specialized agency of the United Nations and is unique among international organizations owing to its tripartite model; its constituents include governments, employers, and workers. All three groups have an equal voice in shaping international labour standards and policies.