Dominican Republic elected to lead GRULAC before the ILO for first time

Switzerland.-  The Dominican Republic has been selected for the first time to coordinate the Group of Governments of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) before the International Labour Organization (ILO), marking a significant milestone in the country’s labor and diplomatic engagement at the regional level.

The announcement was made during the 114th International Labour Conference, where Labor Minister Eddy Olivares Ortega formally assumed the coordination role. In his remarks, Olivares described the appointment as a great honor and thanked Paraguay for its leadership of the bloc, highlighting its efforts to foster consensus and strengthen the region’s voice in global labor discussions.

The minister also reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to social dialogue, noting that the government of President Luis Abinader has made consensus-building a central element of its public policy approach. He pledged to work toward a unified regional position within the ILO and to represent the interests and aspirations of all member countries.

The ceremony was attended by labor ministers and diplomatic representatives from across the region, including Uruguayan Labor Minister Juan Castillo, who currently presides over the International Labour Conference. Dominican government officials and representatives to international organizations also participated.

The election is widely viewed as recognition of the Dominican Republic’s growing regional leadership in labor affairs, institutional strengthening, and the promotion of policies aimed at advancing decent work, social inclusion, and sustainable development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.