The Ministry of Labour, Carlos Contreras wants to move forward with the reforms recommended by the ILO

The Minister of Labour, Carlos Contreras, stated that the reforms suggested by the ILO commission of experts regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining agreements are part of the three reform cores that the country demands.

During a presentation for businessmen in the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG), Contreras talked about the three cores: the first includes reforms to achieve labour legality compliance; the second, reforms to enhance the labour market and formalization; within that core there is the initiative of part time contracts. In order to achieve the second core, ILO’s Convention 175 on part time work and 189 on decent work for domestic works must be ratified.

The Minister explained that this is a process that must be developed by the Legislative Power. Therefore, it would be very interesting if Guatemala would include in the debate the ratification of Convention 181 on Private Employment Agencies to articulate public-private policies with public employment services and gain access to the best global practices.

The third core includes recommendations the experts’ commission made to “lighten or facilitate the requisites to achieve freedom of association and collective bargaining”.

“The best thing to do would be to address the experts’ commission recommendations, both in the union trade and private sector and to analyse some of the reforms proposed”, he stated.

Formalizing labour in Central America is a major challenge that shall bring benefits in direct foreign investment and in the creation of more and better opportunities for its citizens. Guatemala seems to be moving forward towards the right direction.