ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Inter-American Council for Integral Development
(CIDI)
SECOND MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUPS OF THE
XIII INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS
OF LABOR (IACML)
April 11-13, 2005
Buenos Aires, Argentina
OEA/Ser.L/XIX.VI.2
CIMT/GT1-GT2/doc.18/05
7 April 2005
Original: Spanish / English
FIRST DRAFT OF REPORT OF WORKING GROUP 1
LABOR DIMENSIONS OF THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS PROCESS: GLOBALIZATION,
EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR
I. INTRODUCTION

General description of the creation of WG1 during the XII IACML. Explanation on its goals
(examine the labor dimension of the Summit of the Americas process)

Background on Mandate for WG1 from Salvador Plan of Action

-
Continue to examine the labor provisions of regional integration agreements and in emerging
free trade agreements.
-
Elaborate options to allow for improved implementation of labor commitments, laws and
policies, including through an increase in the capacity of Labor Ministries.
-
Conduct further enquiry into the effects of economic integration on labor markets and labor
policy.
-
Develop the institutional means to structure coordination and collaboration to strengthen Labor
Ministries’ capacity to carry out their functions
-
Analyze conditions for promoting decent work and strengthening training and development.
Mention the events related to the group and the meeting of May, 2004 and April, 2005
- Troika Participation at the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade in November 2003,
presenting the 2003 Report of Working Group1.
- Workshop on “Impacts of Trade and Integration on Labor”, May, 2004
- First meeting of WG1 in the framework of the XIII IACML, May, 2004
- Workshop on “Supporting Economic Development Through Effective Employment Services”,
September 2004
-
Second meeting of WG1 in the framework of the XIII IACML and Special Session on the
“Links Between Labor and Economic Policies” April, 2005

Participation in the Working Group deliberations by international organizations and COSATE and
CEATAL

Framework on the content of the report, its structure and purpose
II.
CENTRAL THEMES OF OUR DELIBERATIONS

Labor provisions of regional integration agreements and free trade agreements.

Determination of labor impacts of economic integration (limitations and role of labor observatories)

Promotion of Decent Work and its four strategic objectives - rights at work, employment, social
protection, and social dialogue.

Informal Economy, informal work and non-registered work

Professional training and employment services

Gender Perspectives in Labor Markets

Linkages between labor and economic policies
III.
AREAS OF AGREEMENT AND ISSUES FOR FURTHER WORK
This section will be drafted after the Working Group1 meeting in April, 2005
IV.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK
Summary of challenges in the labor and employment arena confronting countries in the Americas.
This section will be developed following discussions in Working Group1 meeting in April, 2005
ANNEXES
- Activities of Working Group 1
- Other