Comrade Kamisha Benjamin Represents BWU in Global Efforts to Formalise Work and Protect Workers

Comrade Kamisha Benjamin, addressing the 113th ILC, as the BWU joined global calls to formalise informal labour and protect platform workers operating beyond the reach of traditional labour laws.

Comrade Kamisha Benjamin, Deputy Director of Industrial Relations, participated in three major international learning and leadership opportunities this year.

First, she attended the International Trade Union School of Austria (ITUSA) in May 2024, where she developed advanced skills in campaign planning, organising, and international solidarity. The training played a direct role in shaping the successful KFC campaign, applying global strategies to secure tangible local wins. She also accompanied the General Secretary to the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, where she engaged in high-level discussions on transitioning workers from the informal to the formal economy, gaining vital insights relevant to Barbados’ growing informal sector.

Finally, she completed a course on International Labour Standards at the International Training Centre of the ILO, gaining a thorough understanding of ILO Conventions, Barbados’ obligations under international law, and how the BWU can use these standards in advocacy, collective bargaining, and member education. These experiences have further equipped her, and the Union, to champion workers’ rights with boldness, precision, and a global perspective.