Can closer economic integration bring more decent work opportunities in the Caribbean?

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean face a number of development challenges. Although they are ranked at medium and high levels in the UN Human Development index, inequalities are growing and many residents face low standards of living.

Recent economic growth in Caribbean SIDS has been weak. The global economic recession, along with recurrent extreme weather events have taken their toll on GDP levels across the region.

As a result there has been less room for public investment that could have improved infrastructure, generated jobs and provided greater support to those in poverty.

Job creation is a significant challenge and for four of the five countries that have produced unemployment statistics in 2012 and 13, unemployment rates range between 11 and 27 per cent. Youth unemployment rates are significantly higher.

Achieving a regionally integrated production and distribution system would require high levels of cooperation. This applies not just to relations between governments of the region but also within countries, between the government and their social partners.

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