The Tobago House of Assembly comprises of the following Divisions:
1. Labour Division
2. Licensing Division
3. Settlements Division Division
4. Planning Division
5. Elections and Boundaries
6. Training Division
7. Works Division
8. Co-operative Development
9. Community Development
10. Central Library
The Labour Division provides services in the following areas:
The Labour Division conducts meetings between trade unions and employees on matters of either rights or interest disputes. The Division also settles industrial relations disputes, and advises on all industrial relations matters.
The Division monitors the Minimum Wage Orders for Shop Assistants, Household Assistants and workers in the Catering Industry. The Division also ensures compliance with these orders along with other Labour Legislation such as the Truck Act, and the Minimum Wage Act. The Labour Inspectorate deals with the following complaints:
(I) Any member of the public who is protected by the Minimum Wages Order and experiences wages, terms and conditions of employment less favourable than what is provided for under the Minimum Wages Order.
(ii) Any member of the public who is of the opinion that his/her employer is underpaying or has been underpaying him/her.
(iii) Any employer who needs advice or information on Minimum Wages Order, collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment or general industrial relations information and advice.
(iv) Any member of the public who is interested in employment, training and/or retraining and career guidance.
The 'O' Level Graduate Programme facilitates persons who may be in possession of a minimum of one G.C.E. or CXC subject.
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 testimonials.
An interview is conducted at registration, and all documents are noted and returned to the applicant on completion of registration. Successful applicants are referred to clerical and secretarial positions at a Division of the Tobago House of Assembly.
The Labour Division has a registrar of unemployed persons with various skills and experience as well as persons without skills. Employers could therefore access workers from the compiled list.
Advisory and Information Services are provided for persons wishing to choose a career.
The Division also offers an introductory occupational course to unemployed persons over 17 years of age. In the past, courses in Bookbinding, Bread and Pastry making, Maintenance of Air Condition Units and Refrigerators, Dressmaking, Typing and Shorthand have been offered. These courses are done in conjunction with the Education Division of the Tobago House of Assembly.
Members of the public can access these services by coming in to the offices of the Labour Division, Tobago House of Assembly or call 639-2402; 639-3421 Ext. 289.
The applicant must provide the following:
1. A completed application Form No. 7.
2. Identification Card or Passport.
3. Driving Permit of the Registered Owner (excluding companies ) except where the owner is not the holder of a driving permit.
4. Valid Certificates of Motor Vehicle Insurance.
5. Certified copy of ownership in the Registered owner's name obtained within the last three years and last motor vehicle licence sticker.
6. Inspection Certificate for the current year in respect of hired car, rented car, goods vehicle, tractor, trailers and omnibus.
Fees: All fees pertaining to the licensing of Goods, Rented, Private and Hired vehicles are calculated according to the weight and horsepower of the vehicle.
An applicant for a Provisional Permit shall be 17 years and over and must not be disqualified by any Court of law from obtaining such Permits.
The Applicant must produce the following:
1. Valid Passport; or
2. Electoral Identification Card and Birth Certificate.
3. An affidavit (in the event that the name on the Birth Certificate and other document differ).
4. For Class 2 or 7 a completed "Form of Medical Certificate" No. 12 for which an applicant must produce a recent photograph.
5. Fees ...... ..... ..... .... ...... ....... ...... ..... ... ...... ........ ..... ...... ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... ........ ..... ........ ....... ..........$
Provisional Permit ......... ....... ....... ........ ..... ......... ......... ......... ......... ...... ........ ......... .... .. .. 10.00
Regulation and Driving Test Appointments......... ........ ........ ...... ....... .... ...... ........ ..... ..... .... 100.00
Regulation Study Guide ......... ...... ........ ....... ...... ..... ..... ...... ..... .... .... .... ...... .... ..... ...... .. .. 1.00
Highway Code .. .. ........ ..... ........ ........ ......... .......... ............. .......... ......... ........ ......... ..... .. 10.00
Certificate of Competence ......... ...... ....... ........ ......... ...... ..... ...... ..... .... .......... ......... ... .. .. 10.00
Driving Permit .. .. ........ ...... ........ ........ ....... ....... ........ ........ ....... ....... ........ ...... ..... . . .. .. 200.00
An application for the renewal of a driver's permit will be entertained not earlier than one month before the date of its expiry.
Applicant shall produce the following:
1. Completed Application Form No. 4.
2. Driving Permit.
3. Electoral Identification Card.
4. A completed Form of Medical Certificate Form No. 12 is necessary when applying for a permit for Taxi, Heavy Goods Vehicle, Extra Heavy Goods Vehicle and all types of Tractors. For this purpose an applicant must also produce a recent photograph not older than (6) months.
Fee $200
Applicants 63 years or over/and applicants with disability shall renew their permit annually. The applicant must produce:
1. Driving Permit.
2. A Form of Medical Certificate No. 12/A Passport and recent photograph.
3. Completed application Form 4.
Fee $15 - Applicant 63 to 65 years.
No Fee is required for applicants 65 and over.
In the event that a permit or licence sticker is lost, stolen or defaced it must be:
1. reported to the Police; and
2. a sworn declaration must be made before a Commissioner of Affidavit or , a Justice of the Peace on Form No. 4, Item 15. It will also be necessary to complete Form No. 8 and submit your old Licence sticker if defaced.
The applicant shall also produce his/her Electoral Identification Card or Passport.
FEE: ................. .................... .................... ...................... ........................ ......................... .................... ............$
(a) If the Permit is valid .. ............. .................... ................. .................... ..................... .................. .. .. 40.00
(b) If the Permit has expired over three (3) years ..................... ........................ ................... ............. .. 200.00
In respect of one year .. .. .. ........................................ ........................ ..... ..... ................ ............. .... .. 15.00
(c) In respect of a Provisional .. .. .. ..................................... .............................. ............................. ..... 10.00
(d) All Duplicate Licence Sticker .. .. .. ............. .... .... ... ... ....... ...... ...... ..... ......... .. ........ ... ..... ... ... 40.00
In the event that a Provisional Permit is lost, stolen or defaced, two passport size photographs with green background must also be produced.
The Transport Division also provides the following services:
1. Transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle other than by death.
2. Inspection of vehicles
3. Registration of motor vehicles.
4. Re-registration of motor vehicles.
5. Re-classification of motor vehicles.
For further information, members of the public can visit the Transport Division, Tobago House of Assembly.
Services available at the Settlement Division, Tobago House of Assembly are as follows:
Application forms for houses are sold at $1.00 at the Division's counter.
House plans are sold to members of the public at a maximum of $80.00 each.
A member of the public must submit an application for the rental of commercial units. The applicant is then interviewed, and provided the requirements are met, he/she is offered the appropriate unit.
Engineering Assistants attached to the Division offer advice to the public on building construction.
Persons who also own homes in Trinidad can make mortgage payments at the Division.
Lots are allocated to members of the public based on completed application forms.
For further information members of the public can visit the
Settlement Division, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough, Tobago.
The Planning Division of the Tobago House of Assembly guides and co-ordinates the activities of the various Divisions of the Assembly. However, it provides some direct public-oriented services such as:
(I) assisting in the collection and analysis of statistical data which are available to the public; and
(ii) providing assistance/guidance to researchers, including students on request.
The Division publishes booklets/handouts aimed at providing general information to the public, on matters of investment opportunities in Tobago. The Division also publishes the Assembly's plan for Tobago's social and economic development "A Guide to Investment in Tobago" is an example.
Members of the public can access these services from the Division by contacting office personnel during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Friday.
The Services provided by the Elections and Boundaries Commission are as follows:
1. The registration of all eligible persons in Trinidad and Tobago.
2. The timely issue of Identification cards to registered persons.
For further information members of the public can visit the Office located at:
Bacolet Street (opposite Fairfield Complex),
Scarborough,
Tobago.
1. Information on various Scholarships, Fellowships and other awards can be obtained by members of the public from the Training Division.
Information on courses/programmes tenable at the following institutions are also available:
1. University of the West Indies (UWI)
2. UWI Distance Teaching Enterprises (U.W.D.I.T.E.)
3. Institute of Business (I.O.B. - UWI)
4. National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST).
5. Cipriani Labour College
6. John Donaldson and San Fernando Technical Institutes.
For further information, members of the public can call 639-3421 Ext. 215 or visit the:
Training Division, Jerningham Street, Scarborough, Tobago.
The following services are available to the public:
1. Sale of Aggregates
2. Repairs to Vehicles and Equipment
3. Rental of heavy equipment.
Members of the public can access these services by calling Telephone 639-2319 or visiting the Mechanical Workshop at Old Government Farm Road, Scarborough, Tobago.
4. Sale of Hot Mix and paving of Driveways. This service is available at the New Works Administration Building, Old Government Farm Road, Scarborough, Tobago. Telephone 639-2665.
5. Sale of Rotten Rock. This material can be obtained at Studley Park Quarry. Telephone 660-2077.
6. Soil and concrete testing. This service is obtainable at the Testing and Research Laboratory, Goldsborough. Telephone 660-4858.
Hereunder are the services available to the Public from the Co-operative Development Division:
(a) Promotional work among groups working towards the formation of co-operative societies.
(b) Assisting in the preparation of feasibility studies, cash flow projections and the drafting of bye-laws for pre-co-operatives.
(c) Preparing documents required for the registration of co- operative societies.
(a) Delivering lectures to community and church groups, students of primary and secondary schools, trade centres and other institutions on co-operative principles and philosophy.
(b) Conducting co-operative seminars for the general membership, committee members and employees of registered co-operative societies.
(c) Organizing and assisting in conducting training courses in conjunction with institutions such as the Cipriani Labour College and other recognized bodies for the benefit of co-operative societies.
(d) On-the-job training for persons involved in the day-to-day management and administration of the affairs of societies.
(a) Advising co-operative societies at General Meetings, Board Meetings on matters relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Co-operative Societies Act, Chap. 81 : 03, Regulations and their respective Bye-laws.
(b) Assisting in the preparation of loan policies, contracts of employment, general policies and the implementation of accounting systems in Co-operative Societies.
(c) Giving related advice on the day-to-day operations of societies and referring special cases to the relevant authorities.
(a) Checking the books of accounts, registers, documents and assets of all registered co-operative societies.
(b) Preparing monthly financial statements to provide information for societies and to assist them in their financial management.
(a) Conducting the Annual Audit of Co-operative Societies.
(b) Preparation of management letters on the performance of societies for consideration by the Board of Directors.
(a) Conducting preliminary investigations into disputes between members and societies in the process of arbitration.
(b) Reviewing and updating the accounts of inactive societies in preparation for liquidation and cancellation of registration.
Groups of persons (minimum 12) interested in the formation of co-operative societies can communicate with:
The Co-operative Officer III,
Co-operative Development Division,
Jerningham Avenue,
Scarborough,
Tobago
Telephone: 639-3421 Ext. 130
1. The Community Development Division advises and assists voluntary organisations in the planning and implementation of their community programmes. The role of the Division here is a facilitatory one.
2. The Division assists in the Construction and Maintenance of community centres. These Centres are managed by the Village Councils. The Division in collaboration with the Village Councils assist in organising programmes at these centres for members of the communities. Members of the public can also request through the Village Council, the use of the centre to hold other social functions such as weddings and christenings. The Centres also enable other educational, cultural and recreational activities to be undertaken in communities and villages where they are located.
3. Adult Education and Handicraft Courses - These courses are organised to develop skills and enable people in communities to be self-sufficient. Courses in floral arrangement, food and nutrition, indian delicacies, straw work, tye dye, batik and others are held both at district and centralised levels. Members of the public can register for courses at designated venues. Village groups can also request courses as the need arises.
4. Leadership Training Courses - Elected officers of voluntary organisations are enrolled in training courses sponsored by the Division to equip them with the necessary leadership skills to function effectively.
5. Small Grants - Small grants are issued to voluntary organisations upon their written request to assist them in executing their social programmes.
6. Public address and Broadcast Systems - Members of the public can apply in writing to the Division for the use of Public address and Broadcast systems. The Division also uses the systems to promote and advertise its programmes and those of voluntary organisations.
7. Audio Visual Programme - The Division has at its disposal, audio visual equipment which is used to promote mobile cinema shows. The shows are aimed at educating the members of communities, heightening their awareness in the nation building process. Members of the public can apply in writing to the Division requesting this service.
8. Fairfield Complex - The Community Development Division is responsible for supervising members of staff of the Fairfield Complex and for overall maintenance. At the Complex, educational, social, cultural and recreational activities are undertaken by any community group. The Manager is responsible for receiving and approving relevant applications.
The public can access these services by visiting the Community Development Division, Bacolet, Tobago.
Basic library services such as lending, reference and request services are available to members of the public.
Book Van Services are offered to schools and villages.
Collections of books are arranged in response to requests from specific groups such as schools, credit unions and community groups.
During the July/August vacation period and at intervals throughout the year, activities such as Art/Craft workshops, Lectures, Film shows and Storytelling are conducted at all branches. Posters and Book displays are mounted regularly at all branches in commemoration of specific anniversaries or to highlight topical issues.
A photocopying service is available at a small fee.
The Auditorium is available for rent for educational events such as panel discussions, seminars, as well as cultural performances.
The Walkways may also be rented for displays, exhibitions and other similar activities.
Courtesy Ministry of Public Administration and Information