In a historic event for the labor and diplomatic policy of the Dominican Republic, within the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference, the country was chosen for the first time to coordinate the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) before the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Upon assuming the coordination of the regional body, the Minister of Labor, Eddy Olivares Ortega, stated that it constitutes “a very high honor for the Dominican Republic to assume, from this moment on, the coordination of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) before the International Labour Organization”.
During his acceptance speech, Olivares began his remarks by acknowledging the work carried out by Paraguay at the head of the bloc.
“I want to start by expressing our recognition and congratulations to Paraguay. Thank you for an impeccable management, characterized by the constant search for consensus and for keeping the voice of our region high in times of great global transformations,” he stated.
The minister pointed out that the Dominican Republic assumes this responsibility “with humility, but also with enormous determination,” aware of the structural challenges facing the region, including the transition to labor formality, closing gender gaps, adapting labor markets to the technological revolution, and the need to ensure that economic growth translates into social justice and decent employment.
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Olivares reaffirmed the Dominican commitment to social dialogue as a fundamental tool for building consensus and strengthening labor policies.
“The Dominican Republic firmly believes in the power of social dialogue. That is why our coordination will be open-door, participatory, and constantly listening,” he expressed.
Likewise, he assured that the Dominican administration will work to articulate the aspirations of all GRULAC member countries and consolidate a solid regional position in the ILO debates.
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“We will be a firm bridge so that the diversity of our region becomes a single unified force in the ILO debates,” he stated.
The official also highlighted that President Luis Abinader has promoted a permanent culture of dialogue and consensus in the Dominican Republic, making it one of the fundamental pillars of his government administration.
In that sense, he maintained that assuming the coordination of GRULAC represents the natural continuity of a practice based on building consensus and seeking shared solutions, which constitutes a task of high value and a source of great satisfaction for the country.
Olivares also highlighted the prestige and high regard that GRULAC holds within the International Labour Organization, describing it as a demonstration of the strength of Latin America and the Caribbean when acting in a unified manner in the adoption of transcendental decisions for the world of work.
Finally, it committed to permanently promoting decent work, employment formalization, social justice, and regional cooperation as essential priorities for the sister countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Several Ministers of Labor from the region participated in the inauguration ceremony, led by the Minister of Labor and Social Security of Uruguay, Juan Castillo, who also presides over the 114th International Labour Conference.
Also present were the Minister of Public Administration of the Dominican Republic, Sigmund Freund; the Ambassador of Paraguay in Geneva, Raúl Cano Ricciardi; the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to international organizations in Geneva, Iván Ogando Lora; the Director of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ana Delia Núñez; the Deputy Director of the National Institute for Technical Professional Training (INFOTEP), Mayra Morla; and the Director of International Relations of the Ministry of Labor, Sarah Vásquez.
The selection of the Dominican Republic as coordinator of GRULAC represents significant recognition of its regional leadership in social dialogue, institutional strengthening, and the promotion of public policies aimed at guaranteeing decent work and sustainable development for the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.
