Media Release- The Ministry of Labour signs Memorandum of Understanding with The Living Water Community to better protect Migrant Workers’ labour rights
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Tuesday 31 October, 2023
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Living Water Community (LWC) on Tuesday 31st October 2023 at The Living Water Community Ministry on 109 Frederick Street, Port of Spain. The MOU was geared towards assisting Migrant Workers in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in accessing justice through the CAAD such as resolving labour disputes and/or violation of labour rights. It also seeks to facilitate the referral of Migrant Workers to the LWC for assistance with financial and/or other support required to report trade disputes.
The MOL is committed to the Decent Work Agenda and Equal Opportunity for All and recognizes that the protection of Migrant Worker Rights is equally as important as that of nationals. This MoU is a testament to the shared objectives of both organizations to work together to protect migrants from the various forms of labour exploitation.
Ms. Natalie Willis, Permanent Secretary, MOL and Ms. Sabina Gomez, Chief Labour Relations Officer of the Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division (CAAD) signed the MOU on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, while Ms. Rhonda Maingot, Foundress and Director of The Living Water Community and Mr. Ganesh Rampersad, Senior Legal Officer, Living Water Community signed on behalf of the LWC.
At the Signing Ceremony, Ms. Rhonda Maingot shared her life story which dates back to 1975 when she answered God’s call and left her job to serve displaced persons on the streets of Port of Spain by feeding the destitute on the streets. This birthed The Living Water Community Ministry. She spoke of the importance the LWC places on fostering strong partnerships with the government and its agencies and further indicated that this MOU is testament to continuing and maintaining good faith relations.
Ms. Natalie Willis, Permanent Secretary, MOL, in her remarks, reiterated that this MOU offers another layer of support to migrant workers as they are susceptible to labour exploitation including underpayment or non-payment of wages, lack of job security, being forced to work long hours without overtime, being dismissed without due process and even being subjected to unsafe working conditions including situations of sexual harassment and exploitation in the workplace.
She also commended the Living Water Community for being a committed social partner in ensuring that there is access to justice for Migrant Workers in Trinidad and Tobago.
Also in attendance were Ms. Melissa Yacoob, Political Specialist and Mr. Derek Sarchet, Political Officer of the Embassy of the United States of America, who supported this MOU Signing as strong allies to the civil rights society and government and labour rights.
Caption: Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Natalie Willis, presents Ms. Rhonda Maingot, Foundress and Director of
The Living Water Community with the signed Memorandum of Understanding
Caption: Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Natalie Willis (4th from left), Temporary Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms. Candice Young (left),
Ms. Rhonda Maingot, Foundress and Director of The Living Water Community (2nd from left), Mr. Ganesh Rampersad, Senior Legal Officer (middle),
Ms. Sabina Gomez, Chief Labour Relations Officer of the Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division (right).
Caption: Ms. Sabina Gomez, Chief Labour Relations Officer of the Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division (CAAD) (middle) chats with
Mr. Ganesh Rampersad, Senior Legal Officer of the LWC (right) and Mr. Derek Sarchet, Political Officer, Embassy of the United States of America share laughs after the signing
Caption: Ms. Rhonda Maingot, Foundress and Director of The Living Water Community (right) converses with
Ms. Melissa Yacoob, Political Specialist, Embassy of the United States of America.
For further information, please contact the Corporate Communications Unit: Tel: 625-8478 Ext. 1211, 1208, 1203 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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