Nearly three-quarters of domestic workers around the world – more than 55 million people – are at significant risk of losing their jobs and income due to lockdown and lack of effective social security coverage, according to new estimates by the International Labour Organization (ILO)...

“Slave passes, also called ‘certificates’ or ‘tickets,’ were written notes granting slaves permission to leave the plantations on which they lived. Almost all slave societies in the New World required slaves to have written permission from their owners to leave the plantation, and they could not leave without it. Slave passes contained the slave’s name, the destination, the trip’s duration, the expiration date of the pass, and the master’s signature. Passes were most commonly given to male slaves who ran errands and performed transportation work beyond the plantation. Depending on the master.

Thus reads an excerpt from the Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery in reference to Slavery in late 1600s America...

The Cannabis Commission presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday morning (June 15th) on the “Economic Analysis of the Regulation of the Cannabis Industry in Saint Lucia.”

The decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), on April 3, 2020, to proceed with a national recount, and the eventual initiation of the process on May 6, were welcome developments in the ongoing electoral process in Guyana. Following the very irregular occurrences in the tabulation process for District Four, which undermined the credibility of the results for that electoral District...

The Cabinet of Ministers has adjusted the protocols for operations during the State of Emergency which includes lessening of the curfew time and hosting of social activities with the established health protocols in place.

Millions more children risk being pushed into child labour as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, which could lead to the first rise in child labour after 20 years of progress, according to a new brief from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 as seen in the reduction of incomes and high levels of economic insecurity in families, could generate a significant increase in the number of children and adolescents in child labour in Latin America and the Caribbean..

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honourable Allen Chastanet has announced that the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) has paid out over eight million dollars to Saint Lucians as part of the Income Support Programme for NIC contributors.

In a judgment released today, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upheld the decision of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to raise the tariff on “other hydraulic cement” imported into Barbados. The CCJ declared, however, that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Barbados failed in their respective duties to conduct prior consultation with the importers, Rock Hard Cement Limited (“Rock Hard”)...

The New Permanent Observer of Spain to the Organization of American States (OAS), Carmen Montón, today presented her credentials to the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, during a virtual ceremony, the first of its kind.

Four years on, this United Workers Party administration continues to champion the vision of ‘Building a New Saint Lucia’. On June 6th 2016, the people spoke, and the country voted, for change and transformation. Today, we take time to reflect on that call to action and the mandate given to our Political Leader and Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet and the successful UWP candidates..

The Commonwealth is co-launching a project to help young researchers examine the impact of COVID-19 on education systems.

Another anniversary has just landed at our door steps with COVID-19 well in check, to keep our population in a safe environment, while taking a toll on our economy with our Government doing all they can to keep our head above the rising tide of economic turbulence.

On June 4, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau delivered $20,000 worth of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines to The Bahamas.  These CPAP and BiPAP machines, provided by the Rhode Island National Guard (RING) State Partnership Program (SPP) can be converted to ventilators for use as treatment for patients suffering from respiratory distress due to illnesses such as COVID-19.  RING SPP included the conversion kits needed to turn the CPAP and BiPAP machines into ventilators as part of their donation...

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) is mindful that the recount of the votes cast in the March 2 General and Regional elections in Guyana, will be concluded in the next few days...

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) published "The Inter-American Democratic Charter: A Guide to Political Action to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic." The Guide seeks to promote the functionality and validity of democratic principles as essential and effective elements...

Scotiabank Bahamas is celebrating its 2nd consecutive “Best Bank” award after again being named on Global Finance Magazine’s list of 2020 Best Banks in the Latin American region. The selection comes amid an ongoing and focused digital transformation programme being pioneered by the Bank to enhance customer experience.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) today renews its call for the participation of citizens, government officials, civil society and other groups in its Portal for Consultations, Forums and Repository on the world during and after the COVID-19 pandemic..

The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) for the May 25, 2020 General Elections remains in place in Paramaribo, observing the post electoral phase of the process. The OAS/EOM acknowledges the peacefulness and calm demonstrated by the citizenry of Suriname during this phase and commends the tireless effort of the electoral workers involved in the different phases of the process...

The Commonwealth Secretariat is joining forces with Vulcan Inc. to help member countries manage their ocean spaces via cutting-edge mapping technology.