Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle said the Hemispheric Workshop on ‘Just Transition, green and blue jobs in the Americas: Contributions from the world of work to environmentally sustainable economies and societies’ is significant, not only because it is the first hemispheric workshop held on this vital topic, but because it comes at a time when the world of work is undergoing profound change.
“Across the hemisphere, climate driven impacts, technological advances, and shifting social realities are transforming industries, redefining skills, and reshaping how people earn a living,” the Labour Minister said during the Opening Ceremony of the workshop organized by the Organization of American States (OAS) held at Margaritaville Beach Resort on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The Minister explained that this triple transition is affecting countries at every level of development.
“For labour ministries, the central question is: How do we ensure that this transformation expands opportunity for everyone?”
“Afterall, a just transition is ultimately about people.
“It is about workers who must adapt to new industries, young people preparing for jobs that did not exist a generation ago, and communities whose livelihoods depend on sectors that are rapidly evolving.”
She said the green and blue economies present tremendous potential for growth across the Americas.
“Renewable energy, sustainable tourism, marine industries, climate-resilient infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture can generate decent work while strengthening resilience.”
The Labour Minister said these opportunities will only be realized if governments invest in human capital, modernize institutions, and align policies across sectors.
She noted that from the perspective of The Bahamas, the need to address these issues is particularly urgent.
The Minister said as a Small Island Developing State, climate change directly affects employment, infrastructure, and economic stability. “Preparing our workforce for this reality is critical.”
She explained that The Bahamas Government has focused on strengthening education, training, and skills development to position its people for emerging sectors.
“Technical and vocational programmes now include areas such as renewable energy. The National Apprenticeship Programme, which is a part of our Decent Work Country Programme, is providing young people with practical experience in industries linked to sustainable development, such as the maritime and energy industries. And agricultural training is expanding as food security and climate resilience become increasingly important.”
The Labour Minister added that equally important is the modernization of labour frameworks to reflect new realities in the workplace, including addressing climate driven occupational risks like thermal stress, and accommodating evolving work arrangements, such as remote work.
She told the workshop participants that they have brought to the table diverse perspectives and expertise in addressing these shared challenges in their respective countries.
“We all have valuable contributions to make, as well as value to take away from the discussions we have over the next two days.
“Through mechanisms like this workshop, we are building the partnerships necessary to exchange knowledge, coordinate policies, and advance practical solutions.”
The Minister said over the next two days, this workshop would provide a space for dialogue, exchange, and collaborative problem-solving. “We have the potential to positively impact millions of workers throughout the Americas based on our commitment to these discussions.”
The workshop is supported by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
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