Government of Trinidad and Tobagogov.tt

Conciliation’s influence on the industrial relations landscape

The Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division (CAAD) provides a suite of services to the general public which includes, but is not limited to, dispute resolution, advisory services, customized training and outreach. CAAD continues to offer customized training to employers, trade unions and educational facilities to address specific needs of organisations.

conversations with ZelisaAs part of its ongoing public education thrust, the Chief Labour Relations Officer of the Division, Ms. Sabina Gomez, continues to make media appearances to discussworkplace issues and the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and employee. Most recently Ms. Gomez appeared on Synergy TV's "Conversations with Zelisa", to discuss all employer and employee related and conciliation matters.

The National Workplace Policy on Sexual Harassment falls within the purview of the CAAD, and most recently a team from the Division conducted in-person sessions with the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service School in Savonetta, Point Lisas about the National Workplace Policy on Sexual Harassment; Social Media - the Law; the Contract of Employment and Malingering. This training not only addressed workplace sexual harassment, but also provided participants with guidance on acceptable workplace behaviours. Another training session took place with the Chief Personnel Officer’s Personnel Department (CPO) covering a wide range of topics including:

  • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
  • Functions of CAAD
  • Grievance and Grievance Procedure
  • Malingering
  • Ethical Behaviour in the Public Service
  • Social Media
  • Contract of Employment
  • The Minister of Labour's Intervention

Mediation is one of CAAD’s newest services, and a session was recently facilitated with The Blind Welfare Association of Trinidad and Tobago, in order to assist both management and employeesin improving interpersonal challenges in the workplace. Moreover, CAAD understands the dynamics of different relationships in the workplace and extends appropriate facilities to treat with each organization’s unique challenges, such as non-crisis meetings held with the Executive of the Transport and Industrial Workers Union and with the Executive of the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) respectively.

CAAD also continues to engage with vulnerable groups and the migrant community through its work with the Living Water Community Ministry for Migrants and Refugees. Most recently, the Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) Ms. Leela Ramdeen and the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) invited CAAD to meet with Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon and members of the Team, as well as representatives from Parish Ministries for Migrants and Refugees on World Day of Social Justice. This session culminated in the hosting of a free webinar on "Rights of Migrant Workers for NGO’s and International Organisations".

CAAD was pleased to collaborate with the Director of the OJT Division, Ms. Joann David, to design a training package to equip Placement and Marketing Officers with knowledge on best Industrial Relations Practices in the Workplace. This culminated in a webinar titled "Industrial Relations 101".

The undertakings of CAAD are matched by an equal drive and commitment of staff to meet these requirements. The CAAD continues to work tirelessly for the people of Trinidad and Tobago, national or non-national, to ensure that labour conflict is managed and key provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01 (IRA) are carried out.

Requests for CAAD to conduct workshops/seminars on Industrial Relations issues for unions, employers, non-governmental organizations, senior public officers and small and micro enterprises can be made concerning modules listed on the Ministry’s website or can be customized to address the needs of the organization.

Persons wishing to access additional information, can contact the Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division:

  • Levels 5 & 6, Duke Place, 50-54 Duke Street, Port of Spain

  • Telephone: 299-0300 ext. 2043 

  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Visit our website for a listing of office locations and telephone numbers and access additional resources: