Government of Trinidad and Tobagogov.tt

Government Policy

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago commits itself to give special emphasis to the following Labour objectives:

Labour

  • Encouraging proper industrial relations practices and effective democratic Trade Unionism.
  • Ensuring that the population is up to date and informed of International labour engagement trends, as a consequence of globalization and the need for Employers and Industry to become more flexible and competitive.
  • Providing a clear framework of the rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
  • Protecting the health and safety of workers, which will require amendments to the OSHA to deal with the environmental aspects of occupational health and safety.
  • Promoting sustainable economic growth.
  • A comprehensive and immediate review, in consultation with the trade union movement, of all labour legislation, such as the Industrial Relations Act, Retrenchment & Separation Benefits Act.
  • Simplification of the recognition process for Trade Unions.
  • Timely settlement of all outstanding public sector wage and salary negotiations.
  • Dialogue, regular consultation and interaction with the labour movement on all areas of policy, plans, projects and programmes affecting the rights and interest of workers and Labour generally.
  • Ensuring meaningful and active representation by Labour in the decision making process at all levels, in all important Government Committees, State Boards, Task Forces and the like.
  • Formulating and implementing a policy on migrant workers.
  • Timely revision of Minimum Wage rates, consistent with the cost of living.
  • Inclusion of Labour in the Fifth Schedule of the Tobago House of Assembly Act, to give responsibility for industrial relations and labour matters in Tobago to the THA.
  • Review and reform the use of contract labour in all sectors.
  • Review the appointment process for Judges to the Industrial Court to provide for greater security of tenure.
  • Facilitate tripartite engagement between Government, Labour and the Employer, to foster and develop a peaceful, competitive and productive Industrial Relations climate.