Regional initiatives advance labor rights and SME support in Latin America

Various regional initiatives are underway to support labor rights and entrepreneurship across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Labor and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are collaborating on the Decent Work Program 2027-2029. This tripartite effort involving government, employers, and unions aims to strengthen social justice and labor protections. Minister Eddy Olivares also signaled intent to ratify ILO Convention No. 155 regarding occupational safety and health.

In Chile, the Ministry of Economy is launching the 2026 SME Week, featuring over 200 activities nationwide to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through training, formalization assistance, and networking.

In Argentina, several local programs are focusing on professional development and agricultural support. These include technical workshops on rural road maintenance in Lincoln, pool maintenance training for job seekers, and provincial entrepreneurship programs offering credit lines. Additionally, the 'Activá tu Huerta' program is providing training and seeds to families in San Luis to promote sustainable food production.

In the Dominican Republic, Promipyme has inaugurated EmprendeLab 2026, a platform designed to transform 25 selected innovative projects into sustainable businesses through mentorship and digital transformation.