ILO Convention 144: tripartite framework signed
The Government of Saint Lucia has signed International Labour Organisation Convention No. 144, paving the way for the establishment of a National Tripartite Advisory Council. The framework institutionalises consultation between workers, employers and the government on labour standards and industrial relations matters — a structural commitment to the social dialogue model.
Saint Lucia is also embarking on a significant enhancement of its industrial relations framework involving public and civil servants, with workers and employers engaged in the redesign.
Julien Alfred: world-leading indoor 60m
Saint Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred opened her 2026 season with the fastest time in the world in the indoor women’s 60m. The 24-year-old from Saint Lucia continues a trajectory that has placed her among track’s elite sprinters. Earlier this year, Alfred won bronze in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026.
ECVA Beach Volleyball Championship: May 1-3
Saint Lucia hosted the ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball Championship from May 1 to 3, with senior teams from St Kitts, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Bermuda, St Vincent, Anguilla, Sint Maarten and host Saint Lucia competing. As an officially calendarized NORCECA event, the championship provided a regional platform for athletic excellence. Reigning champions Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes — who took the title in 2023, 2024 and 2025 — pursued a fourth straight championship.
Climate animation initiative concludes
A Saint Lucian-led initiative using animation as a tool for climate advocacy concluded recently, having brought together emerging artists from across the region. The program reflects a wider trend in which Caribbean creatives are deploying their craft on regional climate-policy questions.
Deportee MOU and Cuban scholarships
Saint Lucia has signed a memorandum of understanding to accept U.S. deportees, joining several other Eastern Caribbean nations. Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has separately addressed questions on Cuban scholarship policy with what The Voice characterised as “deliberate, calculated and measured” responses, after the United States refuted claims that it had instructed the Government not to allow students to study medicine in Cuba.
The Cabinet has established a dedicated committee to examine alternative arrangements for the Water and Sewerage Company. Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet has welcomed the Government’s latest tax amendments while cautioning they must not come at the expense of the middle class.
In other news
The 2025/2026 cruise season has officially concluded in Saint Lucia, after beginning October 5, 2025. Saint Lucia Football Association president Lyndon Cooper made history with election to the vice-presidency of Concacaf. Innovative Saint Lucian tech firm Orbtronics launched a product aimed at helping small and medium enterprises connect with international e-commerce markets. LUCELEC continues a public safety and dialogue initiative under Managing Director Gilroy Pultie. The journalism community mourned Lissa Joseph, remembered as one of the island’s most fearless journalists.
Sport
Beach volleyball: ECVA Senior Championship hosted May 1-3. Athletics: Julien Alfred’s world-leading indoor 60m opener. Football: Defending club champions GMC United and Bay Bay Cup holders Northern United FC registered first wins in Kenson Casimir Bay Bay tournament.
Tradewinds Brief covers twelve Caribbean countries every publishing day. For the diaspora — what’s happening back home and what it means for you.