The Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) has recognized horizontal cooperation and technical assistance as key tools for institutional capacity building. Additionally, the IACML has established as a priority strengthening the capacities of the Ministries of Labor to respond to the challenges of promoting decent work in the context of globalization.

Responding to this priority, the IACML in recent years has been searching for new alternatives to strengthen its channels for cooperation and assistance, which resulted in the creation of the Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) after the XIV IACML in 2005.

What is the RIAL?

The RIAL is an integrating mechanism for dissemination of knowledge and experience that is relevant for strengthening and developing human and institutional capacities of the labor administration, in the face of national and global economic and social transformations.

Specific objectives of the RIAL:

•  Identify and systematically organize the collective experience and knowledge of the hemisphere's Ministries of Labor.

•  Process information on programs and projects of cooperation and technical assistance in an orderly manner, with objective criteria.

•  Encourage the countries to exchange information on programs carried out and successful experiences, through cooperation workshops and activities that focus on the critical transfer of the various experiences and lessons learned.

•  Facilitate the communication among the Ministries of Labor and with international organizations, financing agencies, and representatives of civil society , through cooperation activities, technical assistantships and virtual tools.

•  Improve the capacity of the Ministries of Labor in the identification of their institutional needs and the elaboration of proposals to obtain financial and technical support.

•  Strengthen coordination and cooperation with international organizations and cooperation agencies. 

RIAL Activities

•  Workshop on Labor Dimension of FTAs and Regional Integration Processes - July 10, 2007. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

•  Workshop on Technical Assistance for the IACML – San José, Costa Rica, May 8, 2007

•  Workshop “ Migrant workers: Protection of labor rights and labor market programs” – Ottawa, Canada, November 28-29, 2006, hosted by the Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

•  Seminar on Labor Intermediation and Labor Observatories – Morelos, Mexico, November 7, 2006, hosted by the Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare of Mexico (Chair pro tempore of the XIV IACML)

•  Second Hemispheric Workshop on Occupational Health and Safety – San Salvador, El Salvador, May 16 and 17, 2006, hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Provision of El Salvador.

•  Identification and systematization of programs and experiences, which are gathered in the Permanent Portfolio of Consolidated Programs in the area of Labor

During 2006 the RIAL, has been funded by the Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

Background of the RIAL

To consult the complete proposal for the RIAL, developed jointly by the OAS and the ILO, click here

The RIAL has its origins in the Feasibility Study commissioned by the XIII IACML in 2003 to analyze the possibility of creating an Inter-American Cooperation Mechanism for Professional Labor Administration.

 

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IACML Virtual Forum
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RIAL Cooperation Fund
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Permanent Portfolio of Consolidated Programs (2005 version)


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Workshop “Migrant Workers: Protection of Labour Rights and Labour Market Programs”
Ottawa, Canada. November 28-29, 2006


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Seminar “Employment Services and Labor Market Observatories: Opportunities and Challenges in the Hemisphere”
November 7, 2006. Cocoyoc, Morelos, Mexico


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Workshop on Supporting Economic Growth through Effective Employment Services
Cancun, September 2004