Labor and Employment Section

Maria Claudia Camacho

Bio

The Labor and Employment Section contributes to promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all through consensus-building, political dialogue, and regional cooperation. It is the Technical Secretariat of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) and its cooperation Network: The Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL).

The actions of this Section are directed primarily at the Ministries of Labor and workers’ and employers’ organizations, and are intended to address the most pressing employment priorities in the region. These priorities include compliance with labor legislation, health and safety at work, gender equality, youth employment and labor inclusion of vulnerable populations, the transition from informal to formal jobs, future of work trends, and the profound transformations of the world of work arising from technological, demographic and environmental transitions, among other key issues.

This section is part of the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.

More Results

Highlighted Results

From 2006 to 2022 RIAL has done 120 Bilateral Cooperation Activities involving 32 Ministries of Labor

24 hemispheric workshops held with technical officials from Ministries of Labor in social dialogue, youth employment, eradication of child labor, etc.

Since 1964 workers and employers have participated in ministerial labor meetings

Since 2007, workers and employers have participated in the General Assemblies of the OAS and the Summit of the Americas.

Inclusion of inputs from workers and employers in the inter-American labor agenda.

Since 2007, 5 Joint Declarations have been adopted that reflect the common visions and priorities of Workers – Employers

Ongoing dialogue of workers (COSATE) and private sector (CEATAL)

National and regional commitments established to create more and better jobs.

With 60+ years of experience, it’s the top forum for regional dialogue on employment dynamics, labor rights, structural challenges, and trends.

Ongoing dialogue and cooperation through the Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL).

More Projects

Highlighted Projects, Programs and Initiatives

Image of the 19th Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor, with Ministers seating around the U-shaped table

Inter-American Conference of the Ministries of Labor (IACML)

The Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) of the Organization of the American States (OAS) is the main forum for discussion and decision-making on labor matters in the hemisphere

Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL)

Mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas

More Publications

Highlighted Publications

Photos of Ministries of Labor and people working

English Español

December, 2013

Advancing the institutionalization of a gender approach in the Ministries of Labor of the Americas

Lessons learned, findings and recommendations from three Participatory Gender Audits: Barbados, El Salvador and Peru.

English Español

January, 2010

The Institutionalization of a Gender Approach in the Ministries of Labor of the Americas

Comprehensive review of gender-related institutions in the Ministries of Labor and training proposal for strengthening them

Pictures of Ministries of Labor and people working.

English Español

January, 2021

The Institutionalization of a Gender Approach in the Ministries of Labor of the Americas: Balance of a Decade

Examining changes in the institutionalization and mainstreaming of a gender approach in the Ministries of Labor

Photo of two younf people looking at an ipad, another photo of a young health worker auscultating a toddler

English Español

January, 2017

The Coordination between Education and Labor in the Americas: Results of the Inter-Sectoral Workshop on Youth Employment

Up-to-date information, conceptual notes, national experience and policy recommendations to improve the link between the world of education and the world of work.

Man with jeans, boots, a long black jacket and a hat, walking in a desolate route.

English Español

January, 2015

Analysis of Bilateral and Multilateral Social Security Agreements as they relate to Pensions

Updated outlook on these agreements and their operation, and recommendations for a future potential Inter-American Agreement on the issue.

English

December, 2007

Gender equality for decent work

Proposals for mainstreaming gender into labor and employment policies within the framework of the IACML

More Events

Highlighted Events

Hemispheric Workshop "Artificial Intelligence, digital platforms and labor rights in the Americas"

The next RIAL Workshop, co-organized with the Ministry of Labor of Colombia, will gather actors to address the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements in the world of work

Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025

Tequendama Suites Bogota

Bogotá, Colombia

Meeting of Authorities of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor

Jan 30, 2025 - Jan 31, 2025

Salón Gabriela Mistral / Gabriela Mistral Room

Washington D.C., United States of America

Hemispheric Workshop “Future of work and new employment dynamics in the Americas”

May 16, 2024 - May 17, 2024

San José, Costa Rica

XXII Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) of the OAS

“The future of work in the Americas: laying the foundations for peace, social justice and climate action”

Oct 23, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024

Hotel Tequendema

Bogota, Colombia

Resources

Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) Website

The Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) is the mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas that seeks to build their human and institutional capacities.