Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML)
The Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) is a forum, under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS), in which the Western Hemisphere's Labor Ministers promote hemispheric cooperation on labor and employment issues. Ministers of Labor in the region meet approximately every two years and adopt a Declaration and two-year Plan of Action that sets out priorities, policies, and programs. Representatives from the labor and private sector advisory groups in the region (COSATE and CEATAL), and international organizations also participate. During the XIV IACML in 2005, the Ministries of Labor of the Americas created the Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL). Coordinated by the OAS Technical Secretariat, the RIAL seeks to strengthen the institutional and human capacities of the Ministries of Labor of the Americas through an integrating mechanism for dissemination of knowledge and experience.
ILAB Point of Contact
Carolina Rizzo
Senior Advisor on Western Hemisphere Affairs
Rizzo.Carolina@dol.gov
202-693-4828
Spring 2017 (Date to be confirmed): Second Meeting of the Working Groups of the XIX Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS – Asuncion, Paraguay
- Additional information about the meeting in Paraguay will be forthcoming.
Fall 2017 (Date to be confirmed): XX Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS – Bridgetown, Barbados
- Additional information about the meeting in Barbados will be forthcoming.
October 17-21, 2016: US-Jamaica Cooperation on Disability Enforcement under the auspices of the OAS Inter-American Network for Labor Cooperation (RIAL) – Washington, DC
The US Department of Labor and several other US government agencies welcomed a delegation from the government of Jamaica from October 17-21, 2016 to exchange information on disability enforcement. The delegation from Jamaica met with officials from DOL, EEOC, the Access Board, Gallaudet University, the Organization of American States (OAS), the US Department of State, and the World Bank. The exchange took place under the auspice of the OAS Inter-American Network for Labor Cooperation (RIAL). The RIAL was created by the Ministries of Labor of the Americas and the OAS in 2005 to support bilateral cooperation exchanges in the region.
June 28-29, 2016: First Meeting of the Working Groups of the XIX Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS – Washington, DC
As a follow-up to the XIX Ministerial in Cancun, Ministries of Labor, labor and private sector advisory groups, and international organizations met to discuss topics such as the new world of work, occupational safety and health, and youth employment. The participants visited the US Department of Labor’s Job Corps Center in Washington, DC and had an opportunity to exchange information with staff and students and tour the center. The Job Corps provides low-income youth from 16-24 years of age with free education and career training, job placement, housing, and social services. The site visit was funded by the US Department of State. For additional information about the working group meeting, please visit: Labor and Employment.
December 3-4, 2015: XIX Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS – Cancun, Mexico
Ministers of Labor, representatives of workers, employers and international organizations met in Cancun, Mexico for the biennial meeting of the OAS member countries labor ministers. Under the theme "Achieving Decent Work with Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development in the Americas" ministers discussed the link between education and labor, how to promote greater inclusion in the workforce, and labor migration. For more information, please visit the webpage of the XIX-Ministers of Labor- IACML of the OAS.
November 11-12, 2013: XVIII Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) of the OAS — Medellín, Colombia
The ministers of labor from the Americas and delegates from more than 27 OAS member states attended, including the vice president of Colombia and more than 80 worker, employer, and international organization representatives in the region. The theme for the XVIII IACML was "50 years of Inter-American dialogue for the promotion of social justice and decent work: progress and challenges towards sustainable development." The ministers of labor discussed youth employment, coordination of economic and labor policies, social security, equality, social dialogue, and the protection of workers' rights. The IACML adopted a Declaration and Plan of Action.
October 31 – November 1, 2011: XVII IACML Ministerial Meeting — San Salvador, El Salvador
The government of El Salvador hosted the XVII IACML Ministerial Meetings on October 31-November 1. The President of El Salvador and the OAS Secretary General welcomed the group. Participants included Ministers of Labor from the Western Hemisphere, representatives of labor and private sector advisory groups (COSATE and CEATAL), and experts from the International Labor Organization. The theme of the Ministerial was "Advancing economic and social recovery with suitable development, decent work and social inclusion." Ministers agreed on a Declaration, Plan of Action, and other Resolutions.