BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Jun 14, CMC – Barbados played a key role in negotiations that resulted in the adoption of a new International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention setting standards for workers in the platform economy, including those employed through ride-hailing and delivery platforms.
The Convention concerning decent work in the platform economy was adopted on Friday during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva and addresses issues such as fair pay, social protection, occupational safety and health, employment classification and the use of automated and algorithmic systems in managing workers.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Labour Minister Colin Jordan chaired the ILO Standard Setting Committee on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, which brought together governments, employers and workers’ representatives to negotiate the instrument.
“Our Committee has made history. For the first time, the ILO’s tripartite constituents had negotiated a Convention specifically addressing the impact of digitalisation in the world of work. The eyes and ears of millions of workers were upon us. We could not disappoint them, and we did not,” Jordan said.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the convention is being regarded internationally as a landmark development for workers engaged in platform-based employment, including those involved in ride-hailing, food delivery, online services, care work and other forms of digital labour.
The Barbados delegation included representatives of government, labour and employers, among them Barbados Workers’ Union General Secretary Toni Moore, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector Faye Prescod, Deputy Chief Labour Officer Alison Elcock, labour ministry official Randy Clarke, Barbados Workers’ Union Communications and Information Manager Cheyne Jones, and Barbados Employers’ Confederation Executive Director Sheena Mayers-Granville.
The statement also noted that Barbados’ Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, is to serve as chairman of the ILO Governing Body for the 2026-2027 period.
The Governing Body is the ILO’s executive body and is responsible for decisions relating to policy, programmes, budgets and the agenda of the International Labour Conference.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Wilson’s appointment reflects Barbados’ growing role in international labour affairs and multilateral diplomacy.
The convention will now be considered by ILO member states for ratification and implementation.
CMC/ed/2026