Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development, Leroy Baptiste, says protecting workers in an evolving job market while advancing the use of artificial intelligence remains a key priority for the government.
The Minister recently addressed the role of AI in shaping and strengthening the local labour market at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Switzerland.
In his address at the plenary of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Minister Baptiste said that, as this country continues to adopt the ethical use of artificial intelligence for the advancement of the labour market, it is also ensuring that relevant policies are in place to guarantee no one is left behind.
“The future of work will be shaped not by algorithms alone, but by the values, policies and institutions we choose to uphold. Recently the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Amendment Bill was passed in the Senate, aimed at ensuring that persons who faced redundancy for various reasons, including technological change, are afforded terminal benefits. Additionally, the Ministry will soon launch a National Employment Online Network Platform, NEON, allowing persons wider access to its employment services.”
He boasted that through the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, the Government is advancing a digital transformation agenda with the development of a local innovation ecosystem.
“It is our responsibility to understand that AI is not the objective. AI is a tool to achieve the objective of creating a better standard of living for all. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago stands ready to work with our social partners, with the ILO, and with the international community to ensure that AI becomes a useful tool in realising social justice and decent work for all.”
Minister Baptiste also called on the ILO to prioritise Small Island Developing States in its efforts to address worsening inequalities and development gaps as it strives to build an equitable and sustainable future of work.