The primary function of the Conciliation Unit, Ministry of Labour and Co-operatives is to conduct meetings between trade unions and employers, in matters of either rights or interest disputes.
The Unit also gives advice on labour related issues to non-unionised individuals and groups of workers.
In connection with paragraph (1) and (2) above, the unit also gibes redress within the framework of industrial relations laws, practices, procedures and policies.
In keeping with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, Chap. 88:01 the Unit also vets Collective Agreements and forwards the same to the Industrial Court for registration.
These services can be accessed at the Conciliation Unit at either the northern or southern Offices of the Ministry of Labour and Co-operatives.
In the north, the Unit is located on Level 11, Riverside Plaza, Besson Street, Port-of-Spain.
Telephone Nos.: 623-4241 - 4247 (PBX)
623-0533
623-0507 .......Direct lines to Labour Relations Officers
623-8631 ....... " ........."....."......"............."..........."
623-8446........ ".........."....."......"............."..........."
623-1167 .......Direct line to Chief Labour Relations Officer
In the south, the office is located at 11, Independence Avenue, San Fernando.
Telephone Nos.: 652-1056, 652-1062.
The services are also available in Tobago. When the need arises, a Labour Relations Officer is assigned to attend conciliation meetings and assist members of the public who may have labour related concerns.
The Tobago Office is located in the Works Building, Shaw Park, Scarborough.
Telephone No.: 639-2420.
1. The Labour Inspectorate educates and advises employers to observe the following laws of Trinidad and Tobago as they relate to wages and terms of conditions of workers who are not usually represented by trade unions, and who are covered under the Minimum Wages Act, Chap. 88:84.
(a) The Minimum Wages Act. Chap. 88:84 -
(I) Minimum Wages Order for Shop Assistants.
(ii) Minimum Wages Order for Petrol Filling Station Employees.
(iii) Minimum Wages Order for employees in the Catering Industry.
(b) Shop (Hours of Opening and Employment) Act, Chap. 84:02 -
(I) Shop (Hours of Opening and Employment) (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 1984.
(c) The Truck Act, Chap. 88:07.
(I) Truck (Amendment) Act, No. 23 of 1982.
The Labour Inspectorate also:
1. Conducts routine checks on business places to ensure compliance with the above laws.
2. Investigates complaints against delinquent employers; and
3. Initiate Litigation of delinquent employers.
The services can be obtained at the Labour Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Labour and Co-operatives at:
1. Level 5, Riverside Plaza, Port-of-Spain, Telephone: 623-1823.
2. 2nd Floor, No. 11 Independence Avenue, San Fernando, Telephone: 652-7002.
3. Ministry of Works and Transport, Shaw Park, Tobago, Telephone: 639-2402.
Members of the public can access these services by contacting the offices listed above.
A professional core of manpower officers, screen, counsel and recruit suitable candidates in the managerial, clerical, secretarial, technical, manipulative and unskilled categories.
Registered candidates are matched to available jobs based on ability, qualifications, skill and experience. These jobs become available to the National Employment Service through:
1. requests from employers (state enterprises, private firms, government agencies and householders);
2. solicitations made be Manpower Officers to employers for possible filling of vacancies.
Candidates with one (1) CXC or GCE "O" Level pass or more are referred to clerical and secretarial positions in various government ministries for a period of not more than three (3) months.
Applicants must complete a prescribed form and provide the following:
(a) original Birth Certificate and Identification Card or original Birth Certificate and Driver's Permit or Passport;
(b) original certificates (if any); and
(c) two (2) testimonials.
1. Employment Exchange, Port-of-Spain
Level 5,
Riverside Plaza,
Besson Street,
Port-of-Spain
Telephones: 627-7381 or 627-738
2. Employment Exchange, Chaguanas
Old Works Building,
Main Road,
Chaguanas
Telephone: 665-6658
3. Employment Exchange, San Fernando
11, Independence Avenue,
San Fernando
Telephone: 652-3181
4. Employment Exchange, Siparia
Old Army Building
High Street,
Siparia
Telephone: 649-0982
5. Employment Exchange, Tobago
New Works Administration Building,
Shaw Park,
Tobago
Telephone: 639-3421
Level 5,
Riverside Plaza,
Besson Street,
Port-of-Spain
Telephone: 625-1504
This overseas programme comprises agricultural work including land preparation and the operation of heavy equipment and can range from six (6) weeks to six (6) months.
Nationals between the ages of twenty-one (21) and forty-five (45) are invited through annual media advertisements (around December) to apply in their own handwriting to the Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Programme, Level 5, Riverside Plaza.
Applicants must complete the prescribed form and provide the following documents:
(a) original Birth Certificate and Identification Card or original Birth Certificate and Driver's Permit or Passport;
(b) two (2) testimonials;
(c) Police Certificate of Good Character.
Candidates must also pass a medical fitness test prior to recruitment.
84, Dundonald Street,
Port-of-Spain
Telephone: 625-3080
Candidates may register for selection as casual workers for a period of ten (10) days, on Government public works projects within a three (3) mile radius of their home.
1. Original Birth Certificate and Identification Card or original Birth Certificate and Driver's Permit or Passport;
N.B.: Candidates who reside in Central or Southern Districts must register at an Employment Exchange in their area.
Candidates may register for temporary employment at the annual carnival shows. The list of suitable candidates are forwarded to the National Carnival Commission for the final selection of workers.
1. original Birth Certificate and Identification Card or original Birth Certificate and Driver's Permit or Passport;
2. two (2) testimonials;
3. academic certificates (if any).
Nationals may register for employment as temporary Periodical sprayers, Ministry of Health but must meet the following requirements prior to selection:
1. attend an interview;
2. (a) produce original Birth Certificate and Identification Card or original Birth Certificate and Driver's Permit or Passport;
(b) two (2) testimonials;
(c) academic certificates (if any);
(d) Police Certificate of Good Character;
3. pass medical fitness test.
The services of this Division are as follows:
1. Inspection of Domestic Electrical Installations.
2. Inspection of Commercial and Industrial Installations.
3. Licencing of Electrical Projectionist.
4. Licencing of Cinema Projectionists.
These services are offered at the Electrical Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Labour and Co-operatives at:
# Eastern Main Road and Cochrane Street,
Tunapuna
Telephones: 662-3356, 662-3010
# Independence Avenue,
San Fernando
Telephone: 652-3483
# Bacolet Street,
Tobago
Telephone: 639-3459
Members of the public can access these services by completing the relevant application forms.
1. Regulatory Function - This is carried out through the Audit and Inspection of Co-operative Societies in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act, Regulations and the Societies Bye-Laws.
2. Development Function - This is performed by way of Research, Planning, Training and Education Programmes.
3. Promotional Work - This entails assisting groups with registration. The Registration process includes:
(a) Drafting of Bye-laws;
(b) Preparing feasibility studies;
(c) Conducting education programmes.
4. The Arbitration Section is relatively new and handles disputes arising in Co-operative Societies.
5. The Liquidation Section is charged with cancelling the registration of Co-operative Societies.
The Head Office of the Division is located at 3rd Floor, Salvatori Building, Port-of-Spain.
Hereunder are the County Offices:
Victoria ... .. .. .. ... 11, Independence Avenue, San Fernando 652 3738
St. Patrick.............High Street, Siparia. 649-2481
Nariva/Mayaro.....Cunapo Southern Main Road, Rio Claro. 642-2277
St Andrew/St. David..Eastern Main Road, Sangre Grande 668-2643
Tobago................Co-Operative Division. Administrative Building,
Jerningham street, Scarborough, Tobago. 639-3421
Courtesy Ministry of Public Administration and Informationo