MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION

BETWEEN
THE CARIBBEAN CONGRESS OF LABOUR
AND
THE CARIBBEAN REGIONAL NEGOTIATING MACHINERY

The Caribbean Congress of Labour and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating

Machinery (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”),

Cognizant of the increasing significance of interaction and dialogue between the

trade and labour constituencies in the Caribbean as countries in the Region become
more involved in trade arrangements that cover labour issues,

Desirous of promoting a harmonious relationship between trade, decent work

and regional development,

Convinced that the Region will benefit from a more informed labour leadership
and further integration of regional non-state actors (“NSAs”) into the process of
negotiating external trade agreements,

Recognizing that cooperation between the Caribbean Congress of Labour

(“CCL”) and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (“CRNM”) will
strengthen their understanding of the impact of trade agreements on the Region and its
workers,

Have reached the following understandings:

1. Purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (“Memorandum”)

The purpose of this Memorandum is to establish a formal mechanism between

the Parties for consultations and exchange of information on trade-related labour issues.

2. Responsibilities of the CCL

For the purpose of this Memorandum, the CCL shall make every effort to:

a. attend and contribute to the deliberations of technical meetings that are

convened by the CRNM, and to which the CCL is invited, for the purpose of
coordinating and formulating regional positions for negotiations;
b. effectively disseminate to its constituents trade-related information provided
by the CRNM, including information arising out of the briefings referred to
in paragraph 3(c);
c. provide the CRNM with comments on trade-related issues or proposals,
particularly those to which the CRNM has invited a response;
d. where appropriate, formulate position papers that articulate the perspectives
and proposals of its constituents on specific negotiating issues.

CCL/CRNM/1
3. Responsibilities of the CRNM

For the purpose of this Memorandum, the CRNM shall make every effort to:

a. attend meetings pertaining to trade-related issues, which are convened by

the CCL and to which the CRNM is invited;
b. include the CCL in its mechanism for consultations with regional NSAs;
c. periodically brief the CCL, at least annually, on trade developments in
general and negotiations, as well as the issues which may need to be
addressed by labour constituencies;
d. communicate positions formulated by the CCL to Technical Working
Groups and the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development.

4. Appointment of Official Contact and Coordinator

With a view to guaranteeing the implementation of this Memorandum and to

coordinating its respective activities under this Memorandum, each Party shall appoint
a person to serve as the official contact and coordinator.

The initial appointees of each Party are:

Lincoln Lewis
Caribbean Congress of Labour
NUPW Complex
Dalkeith Road
St Michael
Barbados

and

Carl B. Greenidge
Deputy Senior Director
Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
3rd Floor
Mutual Building
Hastings Main Road
Christ Church
Barbados

CCL/CRNM/2
5. Funding of Activities and Technical Assistance

Each Party shall seek to secure the funds required to discharge its respective
responsibilities under this Memorandum.

Where the CCL has requested from the CRNM technical assistance for the
formulation of the position papers referred to in paragraph 2(d), the Parties shall, where
appropriate, seek such technical assistance.

6. Review of the Memorandum of Understanding

This Memorandum shall be reviewed upon the request of either the CCL or the
CRNM and may be amended at any time with the written agreement of the Parties.

7. Commencement and Termination of the Memorandum of Understanding

This Memorandum shall enter into force thirty days after the date of signature
and may be terminated by either the CCL or the CRNM by six months’ written notice
to the other.

For the Caribbean Congress For the Caribbean Regional

of Labour: Negotiating Machinery:

Lincoln LEWIS Ambassador Henry S GILL

General Secretary Director-General

Date: Date:

CCL/CRNM/3