Media Release- Ministry of Labour signs MOU with Tru- Fit Garment Factory Limited and Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) for effective Management of HIV and AIDS at their Workplaces
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago -Thursday 25 April 2024
The Tru- Fit Garment Factory Limited and the Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) each signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Labour, through its HIV Workplace Advocacy Unit (HWAU). As leading organisations in their respective industries to sign, both expressed commitment to the national response to HIV and AIDS and mitigating its impact on the workplace. This MOU Signing took place on Thursday 11th April 2024, at the Head Office of the Ministry.
Ms. Samantha Marcelle-Wells, of Human Resources Manager Tru- Fit Garment Factory Limited, the parent company for the Retail Outlet DETOUR, voiced the organisation’s recognition of HIV and AIDS as a workplace issue and the importance of supporting initiatives of the HIV Workplace Advocacy Unit. Ms. Marcelle-Wells said Tru- Fit stands by its principles of integrity, equity and inclusion.
Mr. Dereck Rajack, Chief Executive Officer of CariCRIS showed keen interest in the wok of the HWAU and was pleased to support its initiatives. Both signatories continue to play pivotal roles in their respective organisations as they advocated for workplace policy development and implementation of HIV workplace programmes.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Natalie Willis, commended the organisations on their decision to sign their respective Memorandum of Understanding and noted the unique dynamic of the industries being from the Clothing and Textiles and Financial Industries.
The signing of the Memoranda of Understanding formalises the partnership of the two organisations with the HIV Workplace Advocacy Unit, which in accordance with its mandate, will provide technical support and training to the organisations in the development and implementation of their HIV workplace policy and programmes.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding seeks to:
- ensure organizations’ ownership and sustainability of the HIV and AIDS National Workplace Policy and programme;
- establish procedures to manage HIV and AIDS in the workplace;
- support efforts to prevent HIV transmission, HIV related stigma and discrimination;
- encourage care, treatment and support;
- inform workers about resources in the community.
From Left to Right: Ms Samantha Marcelle-Wells: Human Resource Manager, Tru- Fit Garment Factory Limited and Ministry of Labour’s Permanent Secretary Ms. Natalie Willis.
From Left to Right: Ms. Kimberly Chan Head, Head, Human Resources & Business Partnerships, Mr. Dereck Rajack, Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), and Ministry of Labour’s Permanent Secretary Ms. Natalie Willis.
From Left to Right: Ms. Kimberly Chan Head, Head, Human Resources & Business Partnerships, Mr. Dereck Rajack, Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), Ministry of Labour’s Permanent Secretary Ms. Natalie Willis andMs Samantha Marcelle-Wells: Human Resource Manager, Tru- Fit Garment Factory Limited.
For further information on the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS and services of the HWAU, contact Ms. Heather Rodney- Manager of the HWAU at: 625-8478 Ext. 2008, or 462-5236 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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