by Nisha Paul
- May Day celebrations will be staged for first time in Carriacou
- Draft Occupational Safety and Health Bill under review
- Maternity leave to be 14 weeks, and 2 week paternity leave for fathers
Grenada will mark Labour Day on 1 May with the launch of a major national labour reform plan aimed at reshaping jobs, wages and worker protections over the next 5 years.
The announcement was made by Attorney General and Minister for Labour Claudette Joseph at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet briefing in St George’s.
The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2026 –2031, which was developed through an extensive tripartite process with technical support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), brings government, employers and workers into a single framework designed to improve working conditions and expand opportunity across the country.
Joseph said the initiative targets key gaps in the labour market while aligning with national development priorities. “This programme addresses key priorities for improving work conditions and is designed to promote decent work at the national level,” she said.
The programme is expected to respond to gaps in Grenada’s labour market, including limited job-matching systems, uneven worker protections, and the need to strengthen labour governance and institutional capacity.
According to Joseph, the DWCP focuses on 3 priority areas. The first focuses on strengthening how the labour market functions. “We expect enhanced national capacity and a coordinated policy framework for governance and employment promotion,” she said. “By this, we hope to build a more productive workforce.”
She added that government is also working to strengthen legal and institutional systems to ensure international labour standards are effectively applied. These include fundamental rights such as freedom of association, collective bargaining, the elimination of forced and child labour, non-discrimination in employment, and safe and healthy working conditions.
A key measure already in motion is the planned Public Employment Services Agency.
“We have done the diagnostic work, we have conducted consultations, and a proposed model is already in place,” Joseph said, noting that this will help job seekers find work and employers find workers aligned with their needs.
There is also a push to improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“We also hope to have the quality and relevance of TVET…enhanced to support improved transitions from training to the labour market,” she said.
The second priority targets economic structure, with a focus on expanding decent work opportunities through increased formalisation and productivity. According to Joseph, the aim is to “develop and implement business development support services, especially for key economic sectors.” She further noted that the tourism and hospitality sectors have been identified as priority areas. “So, we hope to have in that sector increased formalisation, productivity, and improved working conditions…with strong social dialogue.”
The third priority centres on strengthening labour protections.
“We intend to work on implementing legislation dealing with occupational safety and health so that all workers in Grenada can operate under a safe system of work,” Joseph said, adding that a draft Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill is already under review.
Government is also moving to strengthen dispute resolution systems, “and in this regard, a plan of action is needed to strengthen the institutional framework for the dispute resolution mechanism as agreed by the tripartite constituents,” Joseph remarked.
Changes are also coming to family leave.
“Maternity leave will be extended from 12 weeks to 14 weeks, and for the first time in Grenada we will introduce paternity leave for fathers for 2 weeks” Joseph said noting that “Cabinet has approved a policy to make the necessary changes to the NIS Act and Employment Act to make this a reality.”
“We are finalising the legislation, which we hope to take to parliament very shortly,” she said, adding that “adoptive parents will also be entitled to maternity and paternity leave.”
Joseph said several elements are already in motion. “We have already embarked on a number of priority items with the support of the ILO,” she noted.
The Cabinet has also approved a subcommittee of the Labour Advisory Board to oversee the implementation of the DWCP. Joseph has expressed confidence that the programme is achievable. If delivered as planned, the initiative could reshape how work is structured and protected in Grenada.
The highly anticipated May Day celebrations, traditionally held on mainland Grenada, will this year be staged for the first time in the sister island of Carriacou.
