OAS LABOR MINISTERIAL HIGHLIGHTS DECENT WORK AS THE CENTER

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001031

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA and DRL; DOL FOR ILAB AND ETA

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ELAB SOCI OAS XK XL XM TD
SUBJECT: OAS LABOR MINISTERIAL HIGHLIGHTS DECENT WORK AS THE CENTER
OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT



1. (U) SUMMARY. THE XV INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF
LABOR (IACML) IN PORT OF SPAIN SEPTEMBER 11-13 PROVIDED AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND LABOR OBJECTIVES IN THE
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TO BE REINFORCED THROUGH ENGAGEMENT ON MATTERS OF
MUTUAL INTEREST AMONG LABOR MINISTERS, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS,
AND REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS. THE MINISTERS
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A DECLARATION THAT, INTER ALIA, REAFFIRMS THEIR
COMMITMENTS REGARDING THE ILO DECLARATION ON FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
AND RIGHTS AT WORK, AND THE COMMITMENTS BY HEADS OF STATE IN THE
FOURTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS TO ERADICATE THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD
LABOR, TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO ELIMINATE FORCED LABOR, AND TO REDUCE
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT; RESPONDS TO DECENT WORK CHALLENGES IN THE
HEMISPHERE; PROMOTES POLICIES SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT,
WITH AN EMPHASIS ON YOUTH; AND AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITIES OF
MINISTRIES OF LABOR. MINISTERS ALSO ENDORSED A PLAN OF ACTION THAT
CONTINUES TWO WORKING GROUPS AND ENCOURAGES THE SHARING OF BEST
PRACTICES. BRAZIL CHAIRS, WITH THE UNITED STATES AND GUYANA AS VICE
CHAIRS, WORKING GROUP 1, WHICH FOCUSES ON DECENT WORK AS A TOOL FOR
PROMOTING DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION. EL
SALVADOR CHAIRS, WITH CANADA AND URUGUAY AS VICE CHAIRS, WORKING
GROUP 2, WHICH FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES OF MINISTRIES
OF LABOR. MINISTERS ALSO ENDORSED ARGENTINA AS THE PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE OF THE XVI IACML, FOLLOWING T&T. END SUMMARY


2. (U) THE XV IACML PLENARY INTERVENTIONS IN PORT OF SPAIN BEGAN ON
SEPTEMBER 12TH. THE U.S. DELEGATION, HEADED BY CHARLOTTE M.
PONTICELLI, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OF THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF DOL (JANE
RICHARDS AND KRISTIN LIPKE),USTR (JERI JENSEN),U.S. MISSION TO THE
OAS (MELISSA KOPOLOW),STATE/WHA/EPSC (MIKE PUCCETTI) AND
STATE/DRL/ILCSR (GABRIELLA RIGG). IN HER OFFICIAL REMARKS TO THE
CONFERENCE, PONTICELLI DISCUSSED THE ROLE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
IN SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION. SHE NOTED THAT
SHARING EXPERIENCES IN FORA SUCH AS THE IACML CONTRIBUTES TO
IMPROVED LABOR MARKET STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS. REFERENCE TO D/US
PONTICELLI'S REMARKS CAN BE FOUND IN PARAGRAPH 3 BELOW.

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CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON YOUTH/ DEPUTY UNDER
SECRETARY PONTICELLI'S REMARKS

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3. (U) D/US PONTICELLI PROVIDED THE U.S. OFFICIAL INTERVENTION
DURING THIS PLENARY SESSION. HER REMARKS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE
OF DEVELOPING A WELL-TRAINED, ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE AND UNLEASHING THE
CREATIVITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND A VIBRANT PRIVATE SECTOR AS A
FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION. SHE DISCUSSED THE
U.S. APPROACH TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKET DRIVEN TRAINING AND CITED
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL DOL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. SHE STRESSED
THAT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IS ROOTED IN ACCESS TO QUALTIY BASIC
EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN. WITHIN THAT THEME, PONTICELLI ANNOUNCED DOL
PLANS TO AWARD $12.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATIVE WORK AND PROVIDE THEM
WITH EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION. PONTICELLI CONCLUDED BY
ACKNOWLEDGING THE VALUE OF FORA SUCH AS THE IACML AS A PLATFORM FOR
THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES AND BEST PRACTICES THAT CONTRIBUTES TO
IMPROVED POLICY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL OF OUR COUNTRIES.


4. (U) MINISTER FRANSISCO MORALES HERNANDEZ OF COSTA RICA PRESENTED
A PROGRAM IN HIS COUNTRY FOR ENGAGING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY. HE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF STARTING WITH
EXISTING INSTITUTIONS AND CREATING A LINK WITH UNIVERSITIES AND THE
NEED TO CREATE A BUSINESS CULTURE. ZARKO COSME LUKSIC SANDOVAL OF
CHILE STATED THAT CHILEAN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THE LABOR MARKET
LATER BECAUSE EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY. CHILE IS WORKING TO FIND
WAYS TO CORRECT INEFFICIENCES IN TECHNICAL TRAINING. A PILOT PLAN
WAS ESTABLISHED FOR YOUTH TO JOIN THE LABOR MARKET, TRAINING 80,000
PEOPLE. SINCE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT SIGNING
CONTRACTS AND THEREFORE DO NOT BENEFIT FROM SOCIAL PROTECTION, THE
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SUBSIDIZE THE FIRST 24 SALARY PAYMENTS.


5. (U) PERMANENT SECRETARY CARSTON SIMMONS OF BARBADOS PRESENTED
EFFORTS BY HIS COUNTRY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TRAINING BOARD TO
RESPOND TO BUSINESS DEMANDS. AVENUES INCLUDE PROVIDING CREDIT,
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROGRAMS TARGETING YOUTH AND ENCOURAGING YOUTH
TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. UNDER SECRETARY LEONARDO CHIRIBOGA
OF ECUADOR DESCRIBED PROGRAMMING IN HIS COUNTRY FOR 18-24 YEAR-OLDS
WITH NO PRIOR LABOR EXPERIENCE TO STUDY IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
FOLLOWING THE INTERVENTIONS, PERMANENT SECRETARY ANDREAS WICKHAM OF
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES ADDED THAT IN HIS COUNTRY, YOUTH
RECEIVE A ONE-YEAR STIPEND TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A WORKING
ENVIRONMENT AND GUATEMALA'S SECOND VICE MINISTER CANDIDA GONZALEZ
CHIPIR STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STRONG FAMILY VALUES SO THAT
CHILDREN DO NOT LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY.

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DECENT WORK CHALLENGES IN THE HEMISPHERE
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6. (U) MINISTER JAVIER LOZANO ALARCSN OF MEXICO HIGHLIGHTED

MEXICO'S PRIORITY ISSUES FOR THE REGION. THESE INCLUDE (1)
REFORMING LABOR LAWS IN MEXICO; (2) INTEGRATION IN ALL SENSES,
INCLUDING ORDERLY MIGRATION; (3) A PORTAL FOR WORK ON THE INTERNET
SO THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF OPPORTUNITIES; (4) SOCIAL DIALOGUE; AND
(5) SOCIAL PROVISIONS SUCH AS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND
LABOR INSPECTIONS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT BESIDES THE ESTABLISHED
WORKING GROUPS, MINISTERS SHOULD VISIT EACH OTHER'S COUNTRIES SO
THAT LABOR ISSUES DO NOT JUST SEEM LIKE AN INTERNAL AGENDA.
MINISTER DANNY MONTANO OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CALLED FOR A
COMMITMENT TO SPECIFIC ACTIONS AT THE XV IACML RATHER THAN RHETORIC
ONLY. RONALDO LESSA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT IN BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS IN HIS COUNTRY FOR YOUTH
TO FIND JOBS AND FOR COMBATING CHILD LABOR THROUGH NATIONAL PROGRAMS
AND NGOS. UNDER SECRETARY ANINA DE CASTILLO OF THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC ANNOUNCED THAT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS ADOPTED A
NATIONAL PROGRAM ON DECENT WORK BUT THAT THIS WAS FACING AN ECONOMIC
CRISIS PRODUCING HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT. THE INFORMAL SECTOR IS
ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF A DECENT WORK PROGRAM IN THE DR. AT THE HELM
OF THEIR NATIONAL MODEL FOR DECENT WORK IS A BALANCE OF LOCAL,
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INPUT AND THE TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN
COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES, WITH THE HELP OF IDB FUNDING.

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STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES OF MINISTERS OF LABOR
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7. (U) MINISTER OF LABOR MANZOOR NADIR OF GUYANA ADDRESSED GUYANA'S
APPROACH TOWARD BETTER LABOR LAW COMPLIANCE. HE COMMENTED THAT HIS
MINISTRY IS UNDERSTAFFED AND RCOGNIZED THEIR NEED TO REORGANIZE.
NADIR THANKED USDOL FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HIV/AIDS IN THE
WORKPLACE PROGRAMMING. VICE MINISTER RAFAEL CHACSN OF VENEZUELA
SPOKE ON TRIPARTITE DEMOCRACY IN HIS COUNTRY. HE ASSERTED THAT
PROTECTION OF WORKERS IS AMONG THE FIRST PRIORITIES OF THE
BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION AND NOTED THE NEED FOR REFORM OF POLICIES OF
THE SAVAGE CAPTIALIST SYSTEM. HE ANNOUNCED THAT THE INFORMAL SECTOR
HAS RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN VENEZUELA'S
HISTORY. ANTHONY GILES, DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL AND
INTERGOVERNMENTAL LABOR AFFAIRS, LABOR PROGRAM, HUMAN RESOURCES AND
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, CANADA, SPOKE ON THE CHALLENGES TO TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND SAID THAT WITHOUT ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY OF
PROGRESS, THERE IS NO POINT TO ENGAGEMENT. HE STATED THAT DONOR
PRIORITIES MUST MEET RECIPIENTS' NEEDS AND NOTED A DEFINITE LACK IN
DONOR COORDINATION.

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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
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8. (U) MINISTER QUINN-LEANDRO OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PROVIDED THE
ONLY SCHEDULED INTERVENTION ON THIS SUBJECT AND CALLED FOR A
HEMISPHEREIC JOINT GENDER/LABOR MINISTERIAL AND A GENDER OBSERVATORY
IN HER REMARKS. D/US PONTICELLI HIGHLIGHTED THE EVER-INCREASING
ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKET AND THE ADDED VALUE OF
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WHEN WORKING WITH LIMITED RESOURCES.

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SOCIAL DIALOGUE
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9. (U) MINISTER EDISON EDUARDO BONOMI VARELA OF URUGUAY BEGAN THE
DISCUSSION ON SOCIAL DIALOGUE BY POINTING OUT THAT IN HIS COUNTRY,
WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS AGREE THAT THERE IS A LACK OF SPECIALIZED
TRAINING AND A COMMISSION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN DIFFERENT SECTORS
TASKED WITH LOOKING FOR WAYS AHEAD FOR TRAINING AND GUARANTEEING
WORK. MINISTER CARLOS TOMADA OF ARGENTINA ADDRESSED THE IMPORTANCE
OF ARTICULATING MACROECONOMIC POLICIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL
DIALOGUE AND ABANDONING SHORT-TERM VIEWS AND LOOKING TO
SUSTAINABILITY IN FORMING STRATEGIC TRIPARTITE ALLIANCES. MINISTER
DION FOULKES OF THE BAHAMAS ITERATED THAT SKILLED WORKERS WHO FEEL
MISTREATED IN HIS COUNTRY SIMPLY LEAVE TO THE UNITED STATES OR OTHER
DESTINATIONS. THE BAHAMAS, THEREFORE, HAS TRIED TO MAINTAIN AN
OPEN-DOOR POLICY WITH WORKERS AND UNIONS THROUGH BIPARTITE AND
TRIPARTITE CONSULTATIONS. MINISTER EDWIN SALAMMN JAN OF PANAMA
EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING POLICIES CONDUCIVE TO ECONOMIC
GROWTH AND SAID THAT PANAMA IS IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
DECENT WORK, WITH THE GENERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AS A PRIORITY.
PANAMA IS TAKING MEASURES TO INCREASE SOCIAL DIALOGUE INCLUDING
THROUGH THE CREATION OF A TRIPARTITE COMMISSION.

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COSATE AND CEATAL JOINT DECLARATION
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10. (U) CONTINUING A PRACTICE INITATED AT THE TWELFTH IACML, THE
TRADE UNION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (COSATE) AND THE BUSINESS TECHNICAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CEATAL) ONCE AGAIN SIGNED A JOINT DECLARATION
FOR THE FIFTEENTH IACML. THE DECLARATION REITERATES A COMMITMENT TO
FULL AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT WITH SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR ALL;
STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND LIFELONG LEARNING AND URGES
GOVERNMENTS TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE
DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF TRAINING POLICIES; SUPPORTS ENHANCED

SOCIAL DIALOGUE, INCLUDING THROUGH REQUESTS TO ILO AND OAS FOR
ASSISTANCE IN DESIGNING A PROGRAM TO THAT END, AND REQUESTS MOLS TO
SUPPORT SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN ALL FORA OF THE HEMISPHERE; AND URGES
IACML CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DRAFTING PROCESSES FOR THE OAS SOCIAL
CHARTER.

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ILO AND OAS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
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11. (U) FOLLOWING THE INAUGURAL SESSION ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER
11TH, ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL JUAN SOMAVIA AND OAS SECRETARY GENERAL
MIGUEL INSULZA SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON FURTHER
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
ADVANCING AN AGENDA ON GENDER.

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CLOSING AND FOLLOW-UP
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12. (U) DURING THE CLOSING SESSION, MINISTER TOMADA OF ARGENTINA WAS
ELECTED NEXT CHAIR PRO TEMPORE BY ACCLAMATION. TOMADA BRIEFLY
DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR NEW DISCOURSE AND ACTIONS. THE HEADS OF
DELEGATION ALSO ADOPTED THE DECLARATION AND PLAN OF ACTION BY
ACCLAMATION AT THIS TIME. IN AN UNANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT, PANAMA
VOLUNTEERED THEIR INTEREST IN HOSTING THE XVII IACML.


13. (U) XV IACML LEADERSHIP COUNTRIES - THE TROIKA AND WORKING GROUP
CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS MET BRIEFLY UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE
CONFERENCE, ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH. A PLANNING MEETING WILL
TAKE PLACE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER IN WASHINGTON. THE
FIRST WORKING GROUP MEETING WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE IN TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO IN APRIL 2008 WITH A SIDE WORKSHOP ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH. REPRESENTATIVES HAVE PROPOSED HOSTING A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS
IN THE FUTURE; CANADA HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HOSTING A WORKSHOP
ON GENDER, CHILE A WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND EL SALVADOR A
WORKSHOP ON CHILD LABOR. WORKING GROUP AGENDAS, WORKSHOP TOPICS,
AND AN XV IACML CALENDAR WILL BE AGREED AT THE DECEMBER PLANNING
MEETING.

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SIDE MEETINGS
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14. (U) IN ADDITION TO THE FORMAL PROGRAM, D/US PONTICELLI MET WITH
HER NAALC COUNCIL DESIGNEE COUNTERPARTS (MEXICO AND CANADA).


15. (U) PONTICELLI ALSO MET WITH ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL JUAN SOMAVIA.
PONTICELLI BEGAN BY PRAISING THE CONTINUATION OF ILO-OAS COOPERATION
FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE DOL-FUNDED ILO PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF
THE IACML. IN RESPONSE TO PONTICELLI'S QUERIES DG SOMAVIA STATED
THAT THE ILO OFFICE IN BOGOTA SHOULD BECOME MORE ACTIVE FOLLOWING
THE ILO TECHNICAL MISSION TO COLOMBIA, BUT EXPLAINED THAT THE
MISSION WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL "PROGRESS" IS SEEN. PONTICELLI
REITERATED THE U.S. COMMITMENT TO NOMINATING AN AMERICAN AS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SOCIAL DIALOGUE FOR ILO GENEVA AND EXPLAINED
THAT USG WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM TRADE
UNIONS AND EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY A CONSENSUS CANDIDATE.
PONTICELLI AND SOMAVIA ALSO DISCUSSED PROGRESS/RESULTS ACHIEVED BY
CHILD LABOR PROJECTS.


16. (U) PONTICELLI WAS JOINED BY PUCCETTI AND JENSEN IN A MEETING
WITH JEAN MANINAT, DIRECTOR OF THE ILO AMERICAS REGIONAL OFFICE.
MANINAT REVIEWED THE STATUS OF ILO ACTIVITIES AND THE PROPOSED ILO
TECHNICAL MISSION TO COLOMBIA. USG REITERATED THE VIEW THAT AN
EXPANDED ILO ROLE IN COLOMBIA TO ADDRESS BOTH VIOLENCE AND IMPUNITY,
AND DAY-TO-DAY FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION ISSUES IN THE NEAR-TERM WOULD
BE A STEP FORWARD FOR ALL PARTIES INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE
SITUATION IN COLOMBIA AND EXPRESSED INTEREST IN RECEIVING FURTHER
APPRISALS OF RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS.


17. (U) THE U.S. DELEGATION MET WITH MINISTRY OF LABOR OFFICIALS
FROM CAFTA-DR COUNTRIES. U.S. DISCUSSED THE CURRENT STATUS/RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS OF LABOR CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING
IN-COUNTRY COORDINATION MEETINGS ORGANIZED BY DOL-MANAGED CUMPLE Y
GANA PROJECT. U.S. EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW $2 MILLION GRANT TO TRUST
FOR THE AMERICAS/OAS WAS JUST ONE PART OF THE USG ANNUAL $40 MILLION
PACKAGE FOR LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN CAFTA-DR,
WHICH IS IMPLEMENTED BY STATE, USAID AND DOL. ALSO DISCUSSED WERE
THE UPCOMING MEETING OF THE CAFTA-DR LABOR ADVISORY COUNCIL TO BE
HOSTED BY SECRETARY CHAO IN WASHINGTON AND THE NEXT IDB-HOSTED
COORDINATION MEETING FOR LABOR CAPACITY BUILDING.


18. (U) IN A SEPARATE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT
GRANT, PONTICELLI AND PUCCETTI AND OAS SECRETARY GENERAL INSULZA
WERE JOINED BY THE MINISTERS OF EL SALVADOR, COSTA RICA AND THE DR.
PONTICELLI BEGAN WITH GENERAL REMARKS ABOUT THE IACML, THE BENEFITS
OF SUCH FORA FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON CRITICAL LABOR MATTERS AND THE
SENSE OF SHARED COMMITMENT AMONG THOSE ATTENDING THE MINISTERIAL.
PUCCETTI THEN ANNOUNCED THE GRANT AND EXPLAINED HOW IT FIT INTO THE
BROADER USG TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING POLICY. SECRETARY GENERAL

INSULZA NOTED THAT LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES GENERALLY HAVE VERY GOOD
LABOR LAWS, IN ALMOST ALL CASES CONSISTENT WITH BASIC ILO STANDARDS.
THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN CRAFTING GOOD LAWS BUT RATHER IN ENFORCING
THE LAWS AND CREATING A CULTURE OF COMPLIANCE.


19. (U) PONTICELLI ALSO INFORMALLY EXPLORED, WITH HER COLLEAGUES
FROM BRAZIL AND PERU, THEIR INTEREST IN COLLABORATION ON IACML
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. BOTH COUNTRIES
RESPONDED FAVORABLY AND DOL WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE.


20. (U) PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH IACML,
PONTICELLI, LIPKE, PUCCETTI AND JENSEN PARTICIPATED IN A SEPTEMBER
11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY HOSTED BY THE U.S. EMBASSY IN PORT OF SPAIN.
PONTICELLI MET WITH AMBASSADOR ROY L. AUSTIN FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY.
THEY DISCUSSED U.S. OBJECTIVES FOR THE LABOR MINISTERIAL, THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE IACML AND THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS TO BE
HOSTED BY T&T IN 2009, BILATERAL COOPERATION INITIATIVES AND
CONDITIONS IN THE T&T LABOR MARKET.


21. (U) DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY PONTICELLI HAS CLEARED THIS CABLE.

KUSNITZ