VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSP #1031/01 2881148
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151148Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8704

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001031 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA and DRL; DOL FOR ILAB AND ETA 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: ELAB SOCI OAS XK XL XM TD
SUBJECT: OAS LABOR MINISTERIAL HIGHLIGHTS DECENT WORK AS THE CENTER 
OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY.  THE XV INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF 
LABOR (IACML) IN PORT OF SPAIN SEPTEMBER 11-13 PROVIDED AN 
OPPORTUNITY FOR U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND LABOR OBJECTIVES IN THE 
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TO BE REINFORCED THROUGH ENGAGEMENT ON MATTERS OF 
MUTUAL INTEREST AMONG LABOR MINISTERS, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, 
AND REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS.  THE MINISTERS 
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A DECLARATION THAT, INTER ALIA, REAFFIRMS THEIR 
COMMITMENTS REGARDING THE ILO DECLARATION ON FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES 
AND RIGHTS AT WORK, AND THE COMMITMENTS BY HEADS OF STATE IN THE 
FOURTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS TO ERADICATE THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD 
LABOR, TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO ELIMINATE FORCED LABOR, AND TO REDUCE 
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT; RESPONDS TO DECENT WORK CHALLENGES IN THE 
HEMISPHERE; PROMOTES POLICIES SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT, 
WITH AN EMPHASIS ON YOUTH; AND AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITIES OF 
MINISTRIES OF LABOR.  MINISTERS ALSO ENDORSED A PLAN OF ACTION THAT 
CONTINUES TWO WORKING GROUPS AND ENCOURAGES THE SHARING OF BEST 
PRACTICES.  BRAZIL CHAIRS, WITH THE UNITED STATES AND GUYANA AS VICE 
CHAIRS, WORKING GROUP 1, WHICH FOCUSES ON DECENT WORK AS A TOOL FOR 
PROMOTING DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION.  EL 
SALVADOR CHAIRS, WITH CANADA AND URUGUAY AS VICE CHAIRS, WORKING 
GROUP 2, WHICH FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES OF MINISTRIES 
OF LABOR.  MINISTERS ALSO ENDORSED ARGENTINA AS THE PRESIDENT PRO 
TEMPORE OF THE XVI IACML, FOLLOWING T&T.  END SUMMARY 
 
¶2. (U) THE XV IACML PLENARY INTERVENTIONS IN PORT OF SPAIN BEGAN ON 
SEPTEMBER 12TH.  THE U.S. DELEGATION, HEADED BY CHARLOTTE M. 
PONTICELLI, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OF THE 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF DOL (JANE 
RICHARDS AND KRISTIN LIPKE), USTR (JERI JENSEN), U.S. MISSION TO THE 
OAS (MELISSA KOPOLOW), STATE/WHA/EPSC (MIKE PUCCETTI) AND 
STATE/DRL/ILCSR (GABRIELLA RIGG).  IN HER OFFICIAL REMARKS TO THE 
CONFERENCE, PONTICELLI DISCUSSED THE ROLE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 
IN SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.  SHE NOTED THAT 
SHARING EXPERIENCES IN FORA SUCH AS THE IACML CONTRIBUTES TO 
IMPROVED LABOR MARKET STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS. REFERENCE TO D/US 
PONTICELLI'S REMARKS CAN BE FOUND IN PARAGRAPH 3 BELOW. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON YOUTH/ DEPUTY UNDER 
SECRETARY PONTICELLI'S REMARKS 
 
SIPDIS 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶3. (U) D/US PONTICELLI PROVIDED THE U.S. OFFICIAL INTERVENTION 
DURING THIS PLENARY SESSION. HER REMARKS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE 
OF DEVELOPING A WELL-TRAINED, ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE AND UNLEASHING THE 
CREATIVITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND A VIBRANT PRIVATE SECTOR AS A 
FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.  SHE DISCUSSED THE 
U.S. APPROACH TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON 
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKET DRIVEN TRAINING AND CITED 
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL DOL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS.  SHE STRESSED 
THAT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IS ROOTED IN ACCESS TO QUALTIY BASIC 
EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN. WITHIN THAT THEME, PONTICELLI ANNOUNCED DOL 
PLANS TO AWARD $12.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE 
CARIBBEAN TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATIVE WORK AND PROVIDE THEM 
WITH EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION. PONTICELLI CONCLUDED BY 
ACKNOWLEDGING THE VALUE OF FORA SUCH AS THE IACML AS A PLATFORM FOR 
THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES AND BEST PRACTICES THAT CONTRIBUTES TO 
IMPROVED POLICY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL OF OUR COUNTRIES. 
 
¶4. (U) MINISTER FRANSISCO MORALES HERNANDEZ OF COSTA RICA PRESENTED 
A PROGRAM IN HIS COUNTRY FOR ENGAGING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THE 
BUSINESS COMMUNITY.  HE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF STARTING WITH 
EXISTING INSTITUTIONS AND CREATING A LINK WITH UNIVERSITIES AND THE 
NEED TO CREATE A BUSINESS CULTURE.  ZARKO COSME LUKSIC SANDOVAL OF 
CHILE STATED THAT CHILEAN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THE LABOR MARKET 
LATER BECAUSE EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY.  CHILE IS WORKING TO FIND 
WAYS TO CORRECT INEFFICIENCES IN TECHNICAL TRAINING. A PILOT PLAN 
WAS ESTABLISHED FOR YOUTH TO JOIN THE LABOR MARKET, TRAINING 80,000 
PEOPLE.  SINCE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT SIGNING 
CONTRACTS AND THEREFORE DO NOT BENEFIT FROM SOCIAL PROTECTION, THE 
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SUBSIDIZE THE FIRST 24 SALARY PAYMENTS. 
 
¶5. (U) PERMANENT SECRETARY CARSTON SIMMONS OF BARBADOS PRESENTED 
EFFORTS BY HIS COUNTRY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TRAINING BOARD TO 
RESPOND TO BUSINESS DEMANDS.  AVENUES INCLUDE PROVIDING CREDIT, 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROGRAMS TARGETING YOUTH AND ENCOURAGING YOUTH 
TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.  UNDER SECRETARY LEONARDO CHIRIBOGA 
OF ECUADOR DESCRIBED PROGRAMMING IN HIS COUNTRY FOR 18-24 YEAR-OLDS 
WITH NO PRIOR LABOR EXPERIENCE TO STUDY IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. 
FOLLOWING THE INTERVENTIONS, PERMANENT SECRETARY ANDREAS WICKHAM OF 
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES ADDED THAT IN HIS COUNTRY, YOUTH 
RECEIVE A ONE-YEAR STIPEND TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A WORKING 
ENVIRONMENT AND GUATEMALA'S SECOND VICE MINISTER CANDIDA GONZALEZ 
CHIPIR STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STRONG FAMILY VALUES SO THAT 
CHILDREN DO NOT LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
DECENT WORK CHALLENGES IN THE HEMISPHERE 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (U)  MINISTER JAVIER LOZANO ALARCSN OF MEXICO HIGHLIGHTED 
 
MEXICO'S PRIORITY ISSUES FOR THE REGION.  THESE INCLUDE (1) 
REFORMING LABOR LAWS IN MEXICO; (2) INTEGRATION IN ALL SENSES, 
INCLUDING ORDERLY MIGRATION; (3) A PORTAL FOR WORK ON THE INTERNET 
SO THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF OPPORTUNITIES; (4) SOCIAL DIALOGUE; AND 
(5) SOCIAL PROVISIONS SUCH AS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND 
LABOR INSPECTIONS.  HE FURTHER STATED THAT BESIDES THE ESTABLISHED 
WORKING GROUPS, MINISTERS SHOULD VISIT EACH OTHER'S COUNTRIES SO 
THAT LABOR ISSUES DO NOT JUST SEEM LIKE AN INTERNAL AGENDA. 
MINISTER DANNY MONTANO OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CALLED FOR A 
COMMITMENT TO SPECIFIC ACTIONS AT THE XV IACML RATHER THAN RHETORIC 
ONLY. RONALDO LESSA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOR AND 
EMPLOYMENT IN BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS IN HIS COUNTRY FOR YOUTH 
TO FIND JOBS AND FOR COMBATING CHILD LABOR THROUGH NATIONAL PROGRAMS 
AND NGOS.  UNDER SECRETARY ANINA DE CASTILLO OF THE DOMINICAN 
REPUBLIC  ANNOUNCED THAT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS ADOPTED A 
NATIONAL PROGRAM ON DECENT WORK BUT THAT THIS WAS FACING AN ECONOMIC 
CRISIS PRODUCING HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.  THE INFORMAL SECTOR IS 
ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF A DECENT WORK PROGRAM IN THE DR.  AT THE HELM 
OF THEIR NATIONAL MODEL FOR DECENT WORK IS A BALANCE OF LOCAL, 
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INPUT AND THE TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN 
COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES, WITH THE HELP OF IDB FUNDING. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES OF MINISTERS OF LABOR 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶7. (U) MINISTER OF LABOR MANZOOR NADIR OF GUYANA ADDRESSED GUYANA'S 
APPROACH TOWARD BETTER LABOR LAW COMPLIANCE.  HE COMMENTED THAT HIS 
MINISTRY IS UNDERSTAFFED AND RCOGNIZED THEIR NEED TO REORGANIZE. 
NADIR THANKED USDOL FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HIV/AIDS IN THE 
WORKPLACE PROGRAMMING.  VICE MINISTER RAFAEL CHACSN OF VENEZUELA 
SPOKE ON TRIPARTITE DEMOCRACY IN HIS COUNTRY.  HE ASSERTED THAT 
PROTECTION OF WORKERS IS AMONG THE FIRST PRIORITIES OF THE 
BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION AND NOTED THE NEED FOR REFORM OF POLICIES OF 
THE SAVAGE CAPTIALIST SYSTEM.  HE ANNOUNCED THAT THE INFORMAL SECTOR 
HAS RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN VENEZUELA'S 
HISTORY.  ANTHONY GILES, DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL AND 
INTERGOVERNMENTAL LABOR AFFAIRS, LABOR PROGRAM, HUMAN RESOURCES AND 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, CANADA, SPOKE ON THE CHALLENGES TO TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND SAID THAT WITHOUT ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY OF 
PROGRESS, THERE IS NO POINT TO ENGAGEMENT.  HE STATED THAT DONOR 
PRIORITIES MUST MEET RECIPIENTS' NEEDS AND NOTED A DEFINITE LACK IN 
DONOR COORDINATION. 
 
------------------- 
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT 
------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) MINISTER QUINN-LEANDRO OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PROVIDED THE 
ONLY SCHEDULED INTERVENTION ON THIS SUBJECT AND CALLED FOR A 
HEMISPHEREIC JOINT GENDER/LABOR MINISTERIAL AND A GENDER OBSERVATORY 
IN HER REMARKS.  D/US PONTICELLI HIGHLIGHTED THE EVER-INCREASING 
ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKET AND THE ADDED VALUE OF 
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WHEN WORKING WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. 
 
--------------- 
SOCIAL DIALOGUE 
--------------- 
 
¶9. (U) MINISTER EDISON EDUARDO BONOMI VARELA OF URUGUAY BEGAN THE 
DISCUSSION ON SOCIAL DIALOGUE BY POINTING OUT THAT IN HIS COUNTRY, 
WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS AGREE THAT THERE IS A LACK OF SPECIALIZED 
TRAINING AND A COMMISSION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN DIFFERENT SECTORS 
TASKED WITH LOOKING FOR WAYS AHEAD FOR TRAINING AND GUARANTEEING 
WORK.  MINISTER CARLOS TOMADA OF ARGENTINA ADDRESSED THE IMPORTANCE 
OF ARTICULATING MACROECONOMIC POLICIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL 
DIALOGUE AND ABANDONING SHORT-TERM VIEWS AND LOOKING TO 
SUSTAINABILITY IN FORMING STRATEGIC TRIPARTITE ALLIANCES.  MINISTER 
DION FOULKES OF THE BAHAMAS ITERATED THAT SKILLED WORKERS WHO FEEL 
MISTREATED IN HIS COUNTRY SIMPLY LEAVE TO THE UNITED STATES OR OTHER 
DESTINATIONS.  THE BAHAMAS, THEREFORE, HAS TRIED TO MAINTAIN AN 
OPEN-DOOR POLICY WITH WORKERS AND UNIONS THROUGH BIPARTITE AND 
TRIPARTITE CONSULTATIONS.  MINISTER EDWIN SALAMMN JAN OF PANAMA 
EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING POLICIES CONDUCIVE TO ECONOMIC 
GROWTH AND SAID THAT PANAMA IS IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR 
DECENT WORK, WITH THE GENERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AS A PRIORITY. 
PANAMA IS TAKING MEASURES TO INCREASE SOCIAL DIALOGUE INCLUDING 
THROUGH THE CREATION OF A TRIPARTITE COMMISSION. 
 
----------------------------------- 
COSATE AND CEATAL JOINT DECLARATION 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (U) CONTINUING A PRACTICE INITATED AT THE TWELFTH IACML, THE 
TRADE UNION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (COSATE) AND THE BUSINESS TECHNICAL 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CEATAL) ONCE AGAIN SIGNED A JOINT DECLARATION 
FOR THE FIFTEENTH IACML.  THE DECLARATION REITERATES A COMMITMENT TO 
FULL AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT WITH SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR ALL; 
STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND LIFELONG LEARNING AND URGES 
GOVERNMENTS TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE 
DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF TRAINING POLICIES; SUPPORTS ENHANCED 
 
SOCIAL DIALOGUE, INCLUDING THROUGH REQUESTS TO ILO AND OAS FOR 
ASSISTANCE IN DESIGNING A PROGRAM TO THAT END, AND REQUESTS  MOLS TO 
SUPPORT SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN ALL FORA OF THE HEMISPHERE; AND URGES 
IACML CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DRAFTING PROCESSES FOR THE OAS SOCIAL 
CHARTER. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
ILO AND OAS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (U) FOLLOWING THE INAUGURAL SESSION ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 
11TH, ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL JUAN SOMAVIA AND OAS SECRETARY GENERAL 
MIGUEL INSULZA SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON FURTHER 
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON 
ADVANCING AN AGENDA ON GENDER. 
 
--------------------- 
CLOSING AND FOLLOW-UP 
--------------------- 
 
¶12. (U) DURING THE CLOSING SESSION, MINISTER TOMADA OF ARGENTINA WAS 
ELECTED NEXT CHAIR PRO TEMPORE BY ACCLAMATION.  TOMADA BRIEFLY 
DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR NEW DISCOURSE AND ACTIONS.  THE HEADS OF 
DELEGATION ALSO ADOPTED THE DECLARATION AND PLAN OF ACTION BY 
ACCLAMATION AT THIS TIME.  IN AN UNANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT, PANAMA 
VOLUNTEERED THEIR INTEREST IN HOSTING THE XVII IACML. 
 
¶13. (U) XV IACML LEADERSHIP COUNTRIES - THE TROIKA AND WORKING GROUP 
CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS MET BRIEFLY UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE 
CONFERENCE, ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH.  A PLANNING MEETING WILL 
TAKE PLACE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER IN WASHINGTON.  THE 
FIRST WORKING GROUP MEETING WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE IN TRINIDAD AND 
TOBAGO IN APRIL 2008 WITH A SIDE WORKSHOP ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND 
HEALTH.  REPRESENTATIVES HAVE PROPOSED HOSTING A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS 
IN THE FUTURE; CANADA HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HOSTING A WORKSHOP 
ON GENDER, CHILE A WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND EL SALVADOR A 
WORKSHOP ON CHILD LABOR.  WORKING GROUP AGENDAS, WORKSHOP TOPICS, 
AND AN XV IACML CALENDAR WILL BE AGREED AT THE DECEMBER PLANNING 
MEETING. 
 
------------- 
SIDE MEETINGS 
------------- 
 
¶14. (U) IN ADDITION TO THE FORMAL PROGRAM, D/US PONTICELLI MET WITH 
HER NAALC COUNCIL DESIGNEE COUNTERPARTS (MEXICO AND CANADA). 
 
¶15. (U) PONTICELLI ALSO MET WITH ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL JUAN SOMAVIA. 
PONTICELLI BEGAN BY PRAISING THE CONTINUATION OF ILO-OAS COOPERATION 
FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE DOL-FUNDED ILO PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF 
THE IACML. IN RESPONSE TO PONTICELLI'S QUERIES DG SOMAVIA STATED 
THAT THE ILO OFFICE IN BOGOTA SHOULD BECOME MORE ACTIVE FOLLOWING 
THE ILO TECHNICAL MISSION TO COLOMBIA, BUT EXPLAINED THAT THE 
MISSION WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL "PROGRESS" IS SEEN.  PONTICELLI 
REITERATED THE U.S. COMMITMENT TO NOMINATING AN AMERICAN AS 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SOCIAL DIALOGUE FOR ILO GENEVA AND EXPLAINED 
THAT USG WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM TRADE 
UNIONS AND EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY A CONSENSUS CANDIDATE. 
PONTICELLI AND SOMAVIA ALSO DISCUSSED PROGRESS/RESULTS ACHIEVED BY 
CHILD LABOR PROJECTS. 
 
¶16. (U) PONTICELLI WAS JOINED BY PUCCETTI AND JENSEN IN A MEETING 
WITH JEAN MANINAT, DIRECTOR OF THE ILO AMERICAS REGIONAL OFFICE. 
MANINAT REVIEWED THE STATUS OF ILO ACTIVITIES AND THE PROPOSED ILO 
TECHNICAL MISSION TO COLOMBIA. USG REITERATED THE VIEW THAT AN 
EXPANDED ILO ROLE IN COLOMBIA TO ADDRESS BOTH VIOLENCE AND IMPUNITY, 
AND DAY-TO-DAY FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION ISSUES IN THE NEAR-TERM WOULD 
BE A STEP FORWARD FOR ALL PARTIES INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE 
SITUATION IN COLOMBIA AND EXPRESSED INTEREST IN RECEIVING FURTHER 
APPRISALS OF RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS. 
 
¶17. (U) THE U.S. DELEGATION MET WITH MINISTRY OF LABOR OFFICIALS 
FROM CAFTA-DR COUNTRIES.  U.S. DISCUSSED THE CURRENT STATUS/RECENT 
DEVELOPMENTS OF LABOR CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING 
IN-COUNTRY COORDINATION MEETINGS ORGANIZED BY DOL-MANAGED CUMPLE Y 
GANA PROJECT.  U.S. EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW $2 MILLION GRANT TO TRUST 
FOR THE AMERICAS/OAS WAS JUST ONE PART OF THE USG ANNUAL $40 MILLION 
PACKAGE FOR LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN CAFTA-DR, 
WHICH IS IMPLEMENTED BY STATE, USAID AND DOL.  ALSO DISCUSSED WERE 
THE UPCOMING MEETING OF THE CAFTA-DR LABOR ADVISORY COUNCIL TO BE 
HOSTED BY SECRETARY CHAO IN WASHINGTON AND THE NEXT IDB-HOSTED 
COORDINATION MEETING FOR LABOR CAPACITY BUILDING. 
 
¶18. (U) IN A SEPARATE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT 
GRANT, PONTICELLI AND PUCCETTI AND OAS SECRETARY GENERAL INSULZA 
WERE JOINED BY THE MINISTERS OF EL SALVADOR, COSTA RICA AND THE DR. 
PONTICELLI BEGAN WITH GENERAL REMARKS ABOUT THE IACML, THE BENEFITS 
OF SUCH FORA FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON CRITICAL LABOR MATTERS AND THE 
SENSE OF SHARED COMMITMENT AMONG THOSE ATTENDING THE MINISTERIAL. 
PUCCETTI THEN ANNOUNCED THE GRANT AND EXPLAINED HOW IT FIT INTO THE 
BROADER USG TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING POLICY.  SECRETARY GENERAL 
 
INSULZA NOTED THAT LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES GENERALLY HAVE VERY GOOD 
LABOR LAWS, IN ALMOST ALL CASES CONSISTENT WITH BASIC ILO STANDARDS. 
 THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN CRAFTING GOOD LAWS BUT RATHER IN ENFORCING 
THE LAWS AND CREATING A CULTURE OF COMPLIANCE. 
 
¶19.  (U) PONTICELLI ALSO INFORMALLY EXPLORED, WITH HER COLLEAGUES 
FROM BRAZIL AND PERU, THEIR INTEREST IN COLLABORATION ON IACML 
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.  BOTH COUNTRIES 
RESPONDED FAVORABLY AND DOL WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE. 
 
¶20. (U) PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH IACML, 
PONTICELLI, LIPKE, PUCCETTI AND JENSEN PARTICIPATED IN A SEPTEMBER 
11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY HOSTED BY THE U.S. EMBASSY IN PORT OF SPAIN. 
PONTICELLI MET WITH AMBASSADOR ROY L. AUSTIN FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY. 
 THEY DISCUSSED U.S. OBJECTIVES FOR THE LABOR MINISTERIAL, THE 
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE IACML AND THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS TO BE 
HOSTED BY T&T IN 2009, BILATERAL COOPERATION INITIATIVES AND 
CONDITIONS IN THE T&T LABOR MARKET. 
 
¶21. (U)  DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY PONTICELLI HAS CLEARED THIS CABLE. 
 
KUSNITZ