PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad:--- Chargé d' Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Daniela Tramacere, on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and for the Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories, and Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Mr. Giovanni di Cola, have signed-off on a project, which will focus on reinforcing the human and institutional capacity of Caribbean Employers Federation (CEC), including activities with the Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce (CAIC), and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), to contribute to the effective implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2008.
The objective of this project, which will be executed by the ILO in collaboration with CEC and CCL, is for employers and workers to engage more effectively in social dialogue, which in turn is expected to contribute to the design and implementation of effective social and economic development policies. The project, which is financed under the 10th European Development Fund, will also strengthen the implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and deepen regional integration.
Director, Giovanni di Cola stated, "The project is designed to assist employers' and workers' organizations, the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) and Caribbean Employers' Confederation (CEC) in particular, in building and maintaining institutional capacity, and to create a space for social dialogue at the regional level."
Charge d'Affaires, Daniela Tramacere commented: "I am confident that this project will support the CARIFORUM Civil Society integration process and foster greater regional development. The European Union looks forward to its successful implementation."
The 3-year project is due to commence in February 2015.