MOLSMED At Work Meeting and exceeding the expectations of our stakeholders

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SMALL AND MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Labour remains the bedrock of development. From time immemorial, work has been at the core of civilization, giving meaning to life and serving as the platform on which future generations are built. We at the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development (MOLSMED), are concerned about ensuring that opportunities for work exist and that the quality of work meets international labour standards. Our efforts over the past year are in keeping with the Government’s commitment to people-centred development and support our philosophy that a more educated, better-equipped, productive and empowered labour force serves as the basis for cohesive communities, which in turn augers well for social and economic sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago.The Ministry’s strategic direction for 2014 embraces the continued promotion of “decent work” through safe and productive work which aims at improving the quality of life for all, while positioning the economy to effectively compete in the global marketplace. Social dialogue, which is one of the four strategic objectives of the Decent Work Agenda, remains at the heart of the Ministry’s approach to policy formulation and decision-making and has been embraced as an effective mechanism for enhancing participatory governance at the national level.

We are focused on strengthening the industrial relations framework and enhancing policy coherence so that full employment and decent work are mainstreamed into all of our programmes and we continue to advocate for such coherence at the national, regional and international levels. To this end, we have continued our drive to modernize our labour laws so that no worker is left behind. Efforts at developing sustainable Micro and Small Enterprises and Co-operatives, strengthening the Labour Inspection System, enhancing awareness of rights and responsibilities in the workplace and combating discrimination in the workplace continue to support our thrust towards decent work for all. Indeed, the successes of the past year and the lessons learnt from the challenges faced, reinforces the commitment of the MOLSMED to serve the national community even better in 2014. As the Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, I thank you for your support and continued partnership in making decent work a reality in Trinidad and Tobago. Errol K. McLeodMinister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development

VisionTo be the leader in promoting entrepreneurship and Decent Work for all

MissionTo facilitate an enabling environment that supports employment creation, sustainable enterprise development and

employee well-being in a safe, peaceful and productive work environment

2014 And Beyond...There Can Be No Development Without Labour and No Labour Without Development”

”

MOLSMED makes a difference! Every day at MOLSMED is an exciting and rewarding experience. We continue to impact the lives of workers, employers, entrepreneurs, students, policy-makers and other stakeholders. No longer is MOLSMED seen only as the Government agency that is responsible for ‘putting out fires between employers and employees’. We are now recognized for our developmental work in contributing to economic growth and social cohesion through our efforts to meet the needs of job-seekers, empower workers, create an enabling environment for micro and small enterprises and co-operatives and fostering collaborative relations among partners in the world of work.As the Ministry continues to meet these strategic benchmarks, this publication seeks to highlight the difference that MOLSMED is making in the lives of citizens. It also provides information on our various services and programmes which are easily accessible. In so doing, we hope to bring ‘Labour’ closer to you. The Ministry recognizes that our particular blueprint for development, founded on decent work, can contribute significantly to improving the lives of our people in Trinidad and Tobago. In order to enhance the Ministry’s strategic impact, we have adopted a rigorous change management and employee development approach. This holistic strategy will ensure that the daily endeavours of our employees are synchronized with the overall mandate of the Ministry, thus allowing us to better serve you.I invite you to review our publication as well as utilize our broad range of services. MOLSMED can make the difference in your life...

Cecilia Greaves-SmithPermanent Secretary (Ag.) Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development

Developing A High Performance Organization To Better Serve You!

Labour Day gives us an opportunity to remember the plight and struggles of acclaimed labour leaders such as Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, Adrian Cola Rienzi, Clothill Walcott and many others who have helped to ensure that our working lives are better today than decades before. Theirs is a legacy of securing “decent work” for many workers - those in the oilfields, the sugar plantations, the factories and even in households. Such a legacy should be preserved for all generations to come and not only be remembered on Labour Day. With this in mind, the concept of a Labour Heroes Park and Museum was born. The MOLSMED is in the process of securing an appropriate location in Fyzabad, which is recognized as the birthplace of the labour movement in Trinidad and Tobago, and developing conceptual designs to guide the construction phase. With the support of a reconstituted Working Committee, as well as the invaluable contribution of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin) and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, this initiative is eagerly being pursued. We look forward to your support as we keep the legacy of our labour leaders alive!

Preserving The Legacy Of Our Labour Leaders

Strategic Goals of MOLSMEDDecent Work principles adopted and practiced in the workplace • Legislative framework that supports Decent Work

• Increased opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship • Efficient and effective organization • Service delivery excellence • Client-focused, results oriented, innovative and knowledge driven • Effective communication

Should I promote him? Roger has been with the company for 12 years. He is one of my best workers and has earned every promotion thus far. However, two years ago, Roger was diagnosed with HIV. Not too many persons know of his status. Roger’s name has

appeared on a short list of candidates for the job of Creative Director. Truth be told, he’s perfect for the job, but I must confess that this time around I’m hesitant about promoting him given what I know. Am I justified?

Answer:If Roger deserves the job based on his performance, then give it to him. Many people with HIV are fully able to perform the functions of their job. Workers with HIV should be treated fairly, and their HIV status should not be grounds for denial of any

employment opportunity or adverse treatment in the workplace.

The Ten Key Principles of the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDSThe Ten Key Principles of the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS

•Consideration of HIV and AIDS as a workplace issue • Gender Equality • Healthy work environment • Prevention • Care and support • Continuing employment • Non-discrimination •Zero Tolerance No screening for purpose of employment • Confidentiality

Zero Tolerance for Workplace Discrimination

The MOLSMED recognises that HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue as it affects the workforce and must be addressed and managed in the workplace like any other serious illness or condition. To mitigate workplace discrimination, such as the above scenario, the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Advocacy and Sustainability Centre (HASC) accelerated its drive to encourage employers to implement the key principles of the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS. Through workplace sensitization sessions and individual technical support meetings, the HASC provides information on the National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS and advocates for its implementation across all sectors. Our advocacy activities have resulted in the Ministry signing Memoranda of Understanding with twenty (20) organizations in the private and public sectors as well as those operating in the informal economy to provide technical support in developing workplace policies and programmes on HIV and AIDS. Another stellar initiative of the HASC was the development of a “Toolkit” which outlined innovative ways to sensitize members of the informal economy on HIV/AIDS and workplace issues using educational theatre. This Toolkit was the outcome of a pilot project executed in Tobago which used techniques such as the “invisible theatre”.The HASC actively participates in national outreach activities and

continues to provide support by facilitating HIV/AIDS Peer Education Training for employees of partnering organisations. This strategy equips participants with the necessary information and skills to effectively create and execute educational programmes and facilitate informed dialogue amongst peers. It is envisaged that peer education will assist in breaking barriers by empowering individuals to discuss sensitive matters thus advancing our national efforts toward a “Zero Tolerance” approach to workplace discrimination. The HASC, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and second in the world, plays a critical role in implementing the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS which was adopted in 2008 and is in the process of being reviewed. Among other things, this Policy set minimum standards for managing HIV and AIDS in the workplace and promote structures and programmes to reduce the stigma of discrimination against persons living with or affected by HIV.Need guidance and support in developing and implementing your workplace policy and programmes on HIV and AIDS?

Visit the HASC at 50-54 Duke Place, Duke Street, Port of Spain or contact us at 299-0300 ext. 2010/2014.

Good governance requires that the contributions of all stakeholders are considered in the decision-making process. The MOLSMED has been a leader in promoting good governance through the social dialogue approach. Social dialogue, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), refers to all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between or among representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Through social dialogue, the MOLSMED is in the process of enhancing the industrial relations system in Trinidad and Tobago, promoting adherence to international labour standards and strengthening action in a range of areas including occupational safety and health, minimum wage determination and enforcement, productivity enhancement and reduction in HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination in the workplace, to name a few.

Enhancing Social Dialogue At The National Level...The SDTF The Social Dialogue Task Force (SDTF) was established by Cabinet to facilitate consensus-building among representatives of Government, employers, workers and civil society on issues affecting the social and economic sustainability of Trinidad and Tobago. The SDTF started its pioneering work in January 2014 and is forging ahead to create a platform where meaningful discussions and agreements can be reached on a broad range of national issues. The SDTF, built on key principles of mutual trust, shared responsibility, openness, information-sharing and effective communication has proven to be a good model on which good governance will flourish.

Enhancing Social Dialogue At The Enterprise Level… CLRU At WorkThe conciliation function of the Ministry is critical to the promotion of industrial peace and stability as it focuses on fostering good employment relations between employers and employees. Through the Conciliation and Labour Relations Unit (CLRU), the Ministry has been working assiduously to treat with outstanding negotiations for collective agreements. Over the last four (4) years, the Ministry has played a critical role in facilitating conciliation proceedings resulting in the settlement of eighty three (83) collective agreements in the public sector and state enterprises sectors, including several major disputes involving the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PETROTRIN), Trinidad and Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (TTNP), Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC), the National Insurance Board (NIB) and recently, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PATT). The Ministry continues to sensitize employers and workers of their rights and responsibilities as a means of reducing disputes within the workplace. As such, the Ministry has facilitated conciliation proceedings in eighty eight (88) negotiations for collective agreements in the private sector and is currently involved in conciliation proceedings in twenty (20) such disputes. In 2013, two thousand two hundred and seventy two (2272) walk-in clients (non-unionized workers and employers) benefitted from advice and assistance on employment related issues while Unions and Employers have been facilitated in seven hundred and twenty nine (729) meetings involving two thousand one hundred and eighty seven (2187) hours of conciliation, in disputes relating to workers’ individual rights and claims. The Ministry has also conducted a series of training programmes for employers and Trade Unions in areas including employment relationships, the fundamental rights to natural justice, progressive discipline, procedural fairness, dispute procedure and the management of conflict in the workplace.

Working it out ... Promoting Social And Economic

Sustainability Through Social Dialogue

To obtain advice on the principles and practice of good industrial relations, contact the CLRU at 299-0300 ext. 2043 or conciliation.mol@gov.ttSocial Dialogue •Participatory decision making •Dispute resolution •Negotiation •Settlements •Mediation •Collective Bargaining

•Industrial Action •Outreach activities •Training

Since its establishment in 2002, the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO), a statutory agency of the Ministry has been identified as the “one-stop shop” for young and emerging entrepreneurs, providing loans, support, training and “after care” all needed to equip today’s business owners with the tools to efficiently and effectively operate their businesses. Tasked with the mandate of re-positioning and transforming NEDCO, The Honourable Minister Errol McLeod appointed a new Board of Directors in 2013. It was therefore no coincidence that under its new leadership, NEDCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO). Through this partnership, artistes now have greater access to training and funding for cultural projects, thus creating an enabling environment in which their creative talents can be nurtured into lucrative businesses. With the aim of creating an effective link between education and entrepreneurship in Trinidad and Tobago, within a few months of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to establish a physical presence at their St. Augustine campus, NEDCO opened its first on-campus sub-office. This new alignment provides students with opportunities to pursue their dreams and transform their creative ideas into business ventures, granting them access to funding for growth and high impact projects. An additional aspect of this partnership was an immersive one week Entrepreneurship Business Boot Camp hosted by NEDCO in collaboration with UWI, further providing institutional support as well as educational and practical awareness of entrepreneurial opportunities. NEDCO remains committed to working with other State Agencies as well as the Private Sector to ensure that the phenomenon of “youth unemployment” does not turn into entrenched long-term unemployment. With its focus on equipping individuals with the necessary education and skills needed to respond to the existing demand for skilled labour, NEDCO partnered with the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP), to jointly utilize their resources and expertise to impart knowledge and engender self-sufficiency among young entrepreneurs. Over the last financial year, NEDCO disbursed a total of four hundred and nine (409) loans valued at TT$20.8 million dollars in start-up capital at a preferred rate of interest to empower entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence. Are you ready to take the first step to start your business?Interested in accessing financial assistance to expand your business?Let us support you... as you succeed!Visit our website at www.nedco.gov.ttCome meet with our agents at #38 New Street, Port of Spain or at any of our RED Centres or call us at 821-5800.

Working With NEDCO To Promote Innovation, Creativity And Entrepreneurship With Local Artistes And Students In Mind• Access to loans/startup capital • Business advisory services • Mentorship• Promotional support• Training and Development• Establishment of strategic partnerships to promote

development

From Left to Right: Ms. Sheryl-Anne Haynes (Member), Mr. Carl Francis (Member), Mr. Willvan Ramlakhan (Member), Mr. Calvin Bijou (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Vijay Parabdeen (Member), Minister Errol McLeod, Ms. Simone Lampkin (Member), Mr. Allister Khan (Member), Mr. Ramesh Lalla (Member), Mr. Christopher Lewis (Member) and Mr. Suneesh Singh (Member).Absent:Dr. Natasha Ramkissoon (Chairman), Dr. Camille Samuel (Member) and Ms. Glenda Joseph-Dennis (Member).

Supporting The Diversification Thrust In Trinidad And Tobago

Matthew Williams FairShare Client

Wondering how to expand and develop your business?Interested in selling your goods and services to the government?

What about training and development opportunities? Visit www.fairshare.gov.tt for more information or contact us at 299-0300 ext. 2166 or 2160

•Free marketing of products and services • Direct linkages to clientele • Increased sales • Business growth and expansion • Increased access to government procurement opportunities

Over 800 Registered MSEs Ready To Meet The Challenge!In January 2014, the Ministry hosted a successful exposition “FairShare First” which featured over one hundred (100) registered MSEs in the programme. This initiative created the ideal networking environment for business owners to interact with key procurement officers, representatives of various Ministries and potential clients.The FairShare programme is a great opportunity for small businesses to increase their visibility to the Public Sector. Through our online web portal www.fairshare.gov.tt Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies engage registered MSEs of the FairShare programme to participate in the public procurement programme, thus giving them unparalleled access to revenue generating opportunities. Coupled with the training provided by the programme, MSEs will have the opportunity to improve their capacity and capability, gradually reducing their dependence on this preferential access programme to become fully capable of providing their services locally, regionally and internationally.Currently, over eight hundred (800) certified MSEs are marketing and selling their goods and services through the FairShare database. Ministries and State Agencies now have access to small businesses in over twenty seven (27) sectors that can provide practical and cutting edge solutions to meet their organizations’ needs.Let’s meet Matthew Williams, a twenty-five (25) year old audibly impaired photographer/graphic designer who has been registered with FairShare for just under a year and has already begun to applaud the programme, which he now attributes to the steady growth and success of his business.

Matthew represents one of the many small business owners who benefitted from the FairShare Exposition and has vowed to keep the fires of the FairShare Programme burning by sharing his own experiences as a client with aspiring entrepreneurs.

FairShare has enabled me to showcase and market my skills to the government and public. Rather than selling the promise of an entrepreneurial dream, the FairShare Programme has provided me with the necessary tools and business opportunities for the expansion of my clientele. This self-empowerment has allowed me to realise my goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Undoubtedly, FairShare guarantees diverse possibilities for limitless opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Business Training • Physical Infrastructure • Mentoring

• Seed Capital Financing • Operational Support • Providing Opportunities for

Innovation • Creating Business Networks • Job Creation • Income Generation

• Improved quality of life

The Enterprise Development Division (EDD) of the MOLMSED recognises the importance of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Sector as a key driver for economic diversification. We have thus placed significant focus on the development and promotion of MSEs as vehicles for employment creation, poverty alleviation and wealth creation. To foster a more enabling environment for entrepreneurs, including marginalized and vulnerable groups such as youth, women, disabled persons and the unemployed, the Ministry continues to provide opportunities for all through its flagship programmes, namely the FairShare Programme (FSP) and the National Integrated Business Incubator System (IBIS).

Bringing Entrepreneurial Opportunities To Your Community Through IbisIn promoting self-empowerment, self-sustainability and innovation, the MOLSMED has continuously sought creative avenues to meet the growing needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and it should be no surprise that we were eager to take the IBIS programme “on the road” making it more accessible to YOU!The National Integrated Business Incubator System (IBIS) is a collaborative effort between the MOLSMED and the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO). IBIS provides a unique mix of business development support, infrastructure, operational and financial assistance thus equipping candidates with technical and business skills for operation and innovation, while improving their access to required resources so that they can develop their business at all stages; from the business investment proposal, to the establishment of their enterprise. Simply put, this programme transforms individuals from being jobseekers to potential employers and generators of wealth.Since its inception in October 2011, IBIS continues to nurture and develop potential entrepreneurs, having trained one hundred and eighty one (181) persons of which sixty one (61) have qualified for incubator services that include coaching and mentoring, seed capital funding and the provision of physical infrastructure. We have also established SEED Incubators in the Regional Corporations of Penal/Siparia and Sangre Grande with two (2) new SEED Incubators to be launched before the end 2014 in Point Fortin and San Juan/Laventille. Pre-incubator training is currently being provided to seventy five (75) successful candidates in the communities of Diego Martin/Carenage, Chaguanas and Couva. Interested in transforming your business idea into a lucrative venture?For more information visit our website www.molsmed.gov.tt or contact us at 821-5819; ext. 2214 or 821-5820 ext. 2095.

Developing an MSE Policy For Trinidad and Tobago“Developing an entrepreneurial culture, Simplifying business start-up and reporting and improving access to training”To ensure a more cohesive, structured and results-based approach to MSE growth in Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry drafted a Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Development Policy. The MSE Development Policy will create a holistic ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship by reducing the many hurdles encountered by entrepreneurs, with the aim of creating opportunities and providing a framework for the expansion of the business support services available to MSEs. This Policy strives to ‘level the playing field’ between MSEs and larger businesses, apportioning equitable treatment to all businesses. To date, the Ministry has prepared a draft National Micro and Small Enterprise Policy which is available on our website www.molsmed.gov.tt for review and feedback. This policy will have far-reaching effects on micro and small business development and it is our hope that the estimated twenty eight percent (28%) contribution of MSEs to the Gross Domestic Product, which constitutes eighty five percent (85%) of all businesses in Trinidad and Tobago, will be increased.

Investing In a Green EconomyLike other Caribbean countries, Trinidad and Tobago faces the challenge of diversifying our economy through the use of renewable energy. A green economy is increasingly being recognized as a source of new job opportunities and an important element for sustainable economic growth. Stemming from a three (3) day workshop on “Developing Policies and Programmes to Promote Green Jobs and Green Enterprises in T&T” organized in conjunction with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry drafted a Green Enterprise Development Policy for MSEs and Co-operatives which is available on our website. While the core of this Policy relates to the nation’s environmental priorities, we envisage that it will allow MSEs and Co-operatives to effect social change through the creation of viable green businesses, thus strengthening economic diversification and creating favourable conditions for increased investments towards green enterprise development.

MSEs - Small In Size But Big On Service And Delivery!

Proactively Seeking the Interest of Workers in T&TThe MOLSMED takes its role of protecting workers’ rights and educating workers and employers of their responsibilities seriously. The labour inspection function of the Ministry seeks to encourage compliance with labour laws which is an important aspect of promoting decent work via the Labour Inspectorate Unit (LIU) and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Agency. The LIU focuses on ensuring that terms and conditions of employment are upheld as stipulated in the Minimum Wages Act and Orders, the Maternity Protection Act and provisions relating to the minimum age for admission to employment pursuant to the Children Act 2012. Ensuring compliance involves scheduled inspections of businesses and investigation of complaints. The unit also engages in educating and advising employers, employees and the general public about the relevant labour laws as they relate to wages and terms and conditions of work.In 2013, the Labour Inspectorate Unit focused primarily on worker empowerment and compliance with labour laws through scheduled inspections and investigation of complaints made by employees. As a result, a total of one thousand and forty nine (1,049) inspections were carried out in Trinidad and Tobago, of which five hundred and forty six (546) breaches were identified which resulted in the recovery of arrears to workers in the sum of TT$527,831.23. Between 2010 to February 2014, a total of TT$1,854,295.39 was recovered in arrears to workers, owing to the due diligence of the LIU.The OSH Agency is all about compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 88:08. Efforts at building a culture of workplace safety that would reduce and eliminate occupational accidents and fatalities have been intensified, particularly in key sectors such as construction. Attention is also being given to the review of the OSH Act to better address implementation, compliance and enforcement. The Ministry has begun work on the development of a National Labour Inspection Policy to provide for a modern labour inspection system that is efficient, effective and transparent. This is another progressive step which demonstrates that protecting the rights of all workers is OUR business..

Leading With Labour AdvocatesThe Labour Advocate Training Programme which was introduced by the Ministry in 2012 is about empowering you to empower others. The Programme expands the reach of the Labour Inspectorate by grooming and training persons in communities to serve as Labour Advocates. Labour Advocates are trained by professionals from the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies with the support of the Ministry of Community Development. To date, sixty one (61) persons have been trained as Labour Advocates in both Trinidad and Tobago, so the next time you need sound advice on how to deal with a workplace issue do not hesitate to consult the Labour Advocate in your community as a first point of contact.

Look out for the next cycle of this program.

Get Registered…Help Yuh Self!If you work in a household, you’re probably a domestic worker.Get on the Domestic Workers’ Register to take advantage of bene-fits like overtime pay, sick, vacation and maternity leave, National Insurance and have your duties clearly stated in writing.

Comprising largely of women and representing four (4) to ten (10) percent of the total workforce in developing countries, domestic workers are an integral part of the labour force in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean. The Domestic Workers’ Register was established in 2012 to capture important demographic and work-related information on this category of workers. It is an important first step in providing information on the situation of domestic workers in Trinidad and Tobago that will assist in strengthening mechanisms to protect them in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189, Domestic Workers Convention which was adopted in 2011.The Ministry understands the significant impact of legislative reform in legitimizing the status of domestic workers. As such ,an ongoing review of the current Industrial Relations Act (IRA) has yielded several recommendations among which is the expansion of the term ‘worker’, to include all persons who work under an employment relationship (contract) to include domestic workers. It is important to note that this legal framework must be in place before the ratification of the ILO Convention 189 can be properly implemented as domestic law. To this end, the requisite amendments to the IRA, among others, are currently being worked on. With respect to the current legal status of domestic workers in Trinidad and Tobago, the belief that domestic workers have “no rights” in their respective work spaces is inaccurate. In fact, the Minimum Wages (Household Assistant) Order made pursuant to the Minimum Wages Act has made provision for paid sick leave, paid vacation leave and maternity benefits for domestic workers, since 1991. Indeed, domestic workers were very involved in the 1937 labour struggles and will not be abandoned by the Ministry nor will they be left behind.The best person to look after your interest is You! For more information on your workers’ rights and responsibilities, contact the Labour Inspectorate Unit at 299-0300 ext. 2064.Let the Domestic Workers’ Register Work For You!

Employer• Find a worker through

the Ministry’s National Employment Service.

• Know your rights as an employer.

• Get help in drafting contracts.

• Get advice on resolving disputes

• Access training for your worker.

Worker• Get job opportunities

through the Ministry’s National Employment Service.

• Know your rights as a worker

• Get your duties clearly stated in writing

• Get advice on resolving disputes

• Improve yourself through training

opportunities.

With its network of offices located throughout the country, the National Employment Service (NES) harnesses digital marketing tools and partnerships to facilitate job seekers with a range of services including job referrals with direct access to job vacancies. Employers also benefit from an efficient job matching facility at no cost.Over the past year, the NES continued its mission of transforming and impacting lives through the use of modern technology. To maintain its competitive edge and increase levels of efficiency, the NES launched a mobile application for jobseekers ‘NES Jobseeker’ and for employers ‘NES Employer’. Jobseekers can now use their smart phones to view job vacancies, post résumés and apply for jobs online. Likewise, employers can advertise employment opportunities at no cost and view résumés of potential candidates whilst ‘on the go’. This free mobile application is available to all on the Android, Apple and Blackberry platforms.In meeting the growing demand for job opportunities at various employment levels, the NES has made significant progress in expanding its current database. A series of consultations held with employer organisations from both public and private sectors, resulted in an eight five (85%) percent increase in employer registration, ensuring that jobseekers now have access to a wider range of employment opportunities particularly in the private sector. For 2013, the NES has placed over five hundred and thirty (530) persons in jobs. It is rewarding to know that these new job opportunities came as a result of customer demand, which demonstrates that jobseekers

Job Opportunities For All ...

NES Goes Mobile!

•On-Line registration of job vacancies • On-line registration of job seekers • Job interviews and referrals • Recruitment of workers for overseas employment • Career Guidance • Connecting jobseekers and employers

Keeping the IRA under review... The Industrial Relations Advisory Committee

understand the dedication of the Ministry in fulfilling its role of creating sustainable job opportunities. Additionally, the NES continued its supportive role of placing Trinidad and Tobago nationals in overseas employment programmes such as the Commonwealth Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme (CCSAWP), popularly known as the ‘Farm Programme’. In 2013, a total of one thousand and thirty nine (1,039) persons were employed in Canada, amounting to revenue-earning income of over TT $67.5 million dollars. This programme provides citizens with the opportunity to earn an increased income, thereby providing a higher standard of living for themselves and their families while gaining exposure to new technologies and systems. From assisting job seekers in choosing the most rewarding career path to nurturing new entrants into the world of work, the NES continues to be the focal point at the MOLSMED for “Making The Job Connection” between employers and prospective employees.

After more than three (3) decades in abeyance, the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) was reconstituted in 2012 to advise the Labour Minister on any matters relating to industrial relations, as well as, to ensure the development and reform of the Industrial Relations Act. The reconstitution of the IRAC is part of Government’s commitment to placing workers at the centre of our nation’s development via the amendment of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA). The Committee has undertaken significant research and analysis on new and emerging labour issues which have been impacting our industrial relations framework. In 2013, the Committee submitted its first Report which

presented a number of important recommendations including: 1. Broadening the definition of ‘worker’ under the IRA to encompass all persons, including domestic workers, under an employment contract 2. Strengthening the role of the Industrial Court and the tenure of its Judges3. Re-organization and transformation of the Registration Recognition and Certification Board. 4. Removal of the provision for de-certification of Trade Unions for industrial action not in conformity with the IRA

Co-operatives play a vital role in the social and economic development of Trinidad and Tobago. These institutions comprise a group of individuals coming together voluntarily to meet an economic and social need through a common business venture. They are not mainly profit based but rather community based and seeking to serve the interests of their members and communities. Considered to be a key ingredient for the development of the Micro and Small Enterprise sector, the co-operative business model has yielded much success internationally. For instance, Welch’s the world’s leading marketer of grape products had its genesis in the National Grape Co-operative, comprising over one thousand four hundred (1,400) farmers in the United States and Canada. The MOLSMED envisages that such a model can be successfully implemented in Trinidad and Tobago whereby Co-operatives can transition into lucrative businesses which can compete globally.Tasked with the responsibility of promoting, regulating and supervising Co-operative Societies in Trinidad and Tobago, the Co-operative Development Division (CDD) of the Ministry fulfilled its mandate in 2013 by ensuring the security and astute management of approximately five hundred thousand (500,000) members in over three hundred (300) Societies with an asset base of approximately TT$10 billion. In our endeavour to create an enabling environment in which Co-operatives could contribute towards the socio-economic development of the lives of its members, the Division has been instrumental in the following:

Dispute Resolutions The CDD was successful in resolving some two hundred and sixty eight (268) disputes to the tune of TT$10 million in 2013. The Division, through its meticulous approval of some TT$81 million – representative of the collective investments of individual co-operative societies – continued to ensure the safety and soundness of a sector whose interests impact the financial lives of its members. In 2013, an agreement was reached with shareholders and depositors of the Hindu Credit Union and payments have been made to date. The Ministry undertook the payment exercise in two (2) phases. Phase I, which addressed those shareholders with deposits under TT$75,000, was completed in October 2013, with payments being made to eighteen thousand one hundred and thirteen (18,113) shareholders to a value of TT$134,998,019.44. Phase II of the exercise is being completed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to address shareholders with holdings of over TT$75,000. Approximately one thousand two hundred and fifty three (1,253) persons received payments to the value of TT$94,597,717.63, whilst one thousand three hundred and eleven (1,311) persons were selected to be paid in bonds to the value of TT$319,393,000.

Strengthening The Legal FrameworkGiven that the Co-operative Societies Act, Chapter 81:03 which governs both financial Co-operatives (Credit Unions) and non-financial Co-operatives is more than four (4) decades old, the CDD held consultations for amendments to this legislation. Members can now look forward to seeing the results of a stronger regulatory and supervisory mechanism to enhance the protection of their assets and investments, namely the strengthening of the financial regulation of Credit Unions and the development of the Credit Union Bill 2013.

Building Governance In The SectorThis year, greater focus is being placed on the development of the Co-operative Sector’s governance capabilities through the training of directors and managers with the intention of achieving greater efficiency in management practices whilst preparing respective entities to comply with pending legislative reforms. These critical areas were considered: The roles and functions of Boards of Directors, Supervisory and Credit Committees, Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Understanding Financial Statements and The Conduct of Meetings. Persons wishing to reap the many benefits which Co-operatives provide can obtain the Ministry’s educational three part module on how to start, organize and manage a co-operative enterprise as the first step. This series provide a critical understanding of Co-operatives and their operations in three easy-to-read booklets titled “What is a Co-operative Enterprise?”, “Starting a Co-operative Enterprise” and “Co-operative Organisation and Management”.Copies of these booklets are available at all offices of the Co-operative Development Division throughout Trinidad and Tobago. For further information, contact the Co-operative Development Division at 645-6543.

• On-site business consultancy • Business Library Services • Business Training Programmes • Innovation and Entrepreneurship • Business Planning & Strategies for Success

Members Matter Most!

Equipping The Workforce To Meet Current and Future Needs...

Re-engineering Friendly Societies

•Assistance in the acquisition of freehold and leasehold land •Relief during sickness and infirmity •Credit and investment opportunities •Insurance benefits •Death and maternity benefits •Plan and implement social, cultural and recreational activities

•Empower Communities with moral values and respect •Education and Training

Friendly Societies are Mutual Insurance Organisations owned by its members who seek to improve their social well-being by providing relief to them and their dependents during circumstances such as illness, death, childbirth and retirement, among others. These unique organisations have existed in Trinidad and Tobago for more than one hundred and fifty (150) years and were founded on the principles of love, brotherhood, fraternity, truth, friendship and honour. Despite the many opportunities to be garnered, Friendly Societies have seen a declining membership and it is against this backdrop that the MOLSMED, through its Friendly Societies Division, embarked on a nationwide campaign to empower Friendly Societies to work with its existing members to attract new ones, in order to survive in an environment controlled by contemporary financial institutions. In June 2013, the Division sought to increase the visibility of the Friendly Societies Movement through its annual parade and conference. That year also witnessed a payment of approximately TT$98,000.00 in Free Card subsidies to Societies and Lodges (a backlog that spanned the course of 2006-2013), the cancellation of forty two societies/lodges, the appointment of eleven auditors, and a visit regionally to explore and understand the friendly society models used by our Jamaican counterparts.As the Ministry seeks to re-position the Friendly Societies Movement, an institutional audit is currently ongoing to identify key areas in which they can contribute to the national socio-economic development of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as to determine ways in which the Friendly Societies can be of greater impact in our homes, schools and communities.For more information on Friendly Societies contact us at 299-0300 ext. 2056

•Labour Studies • Co-operative Studies • Human Resource Management • Occupational Safety and Health • Project Management • Environmental Management • Emergency Management • Public Relations and Marketing • Security Administration and Management

Recognized nationally as one of the premier government supported tertiary level institutions, the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies (CCLCS) has distinguished itself amongst its peer institutions as the primary educator of workers and union leaders on labour management, industrial relations and co-operative issues for over four (4) decades. As the College moves towards its fifth (5th) decade of operations, it continues to adapt to major societal and macro structural changes, as underscored by the September 2013 Signing Ceremony, which commemorated institutional accreditation to the College by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT). This accreditation ensures quality management as the cornerstone of the College’s operations. In addition, it showcases the commitment and capacity of the CCLCS to be effective in all its operations whilst ensuring high quality programmes and services to a myriad of stakeholders. Today, the CCLCS is on par with other tertiary education institutions as the qualifications of graduates are now recognizable and transferrable to other institutions, thereby increasing their marketability and competiveness within the workplace.Following this achievement, CCLCS has embarked on a process of reviewing its curriculum to ensure that it meets the changing needs of the labour market. The successful publication of the 2nd edition of its online multidisciplinary journal “Caribbean Journal of Labour and Co-operative Studies”, has positioned the CCLCS as one of the leading sources for Caribbean specific information on academic disciplines. These include: Co-operative Studies, Labour Studies, Occupational Safety and Health

and Human Resource Management just to mention a few. This initiative presents a forum for researchers to contribute to both the intellectual and social development of the country and the region.Expand your career with an education that is backed by over 40 years of proven success.For more information visit www.cclcs.edu.ttTel:662-5014 or 6451963Email: contact@cclcs.edu.tt

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SMALL AND MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

MOLSMED & the International Labour Community

Responsible for fulfilling this country’s international labour obligations, the MOLSMED has been meeting its commitments as well as contributing to and impacting international labour discussions. Whether it is at the regional level participating in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Human and Social Development, the hemispheric level at the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour of the Organisation of American States (OAS), or at the annual International Labour Conference of the International Labour organisation (ILO), the MOLSMED has been working to enhance the contribution of Trinidad and Tobago to the development of labour policy and international labour standards. Moreover, the MOLSMED continues to make every effort to highlight the challenges which confront small-island developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago and our Caribbean sister states. The contribution made by the MOLSMED has been particularly significant over the last three years during which Trinidad and Tobago served on the Governing Body of the ILO in the seat allocated to the Caribbean. Our contribution is expected to deepen given Trinidad and Tobago’s re-election to the Governing Body on June 2, 2014 for the next triennium (2014 to 2017)In seeking to strengthen regional labour relations and fulfil its leadership role as Caribbean representative on the ILO Governing Body, the MOLSMED partnered with the ILO, Port of Spain office to co-host the Eighth (8th) ILO Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour in July 2013. The meeting brought twenty-one (21) Caribbean Members of the ILO to discuss a range of issues which included discussions on unemployment and underemployment in the region, labour migration, productivity and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. We were also particularly pleased to welcome H.E. Guy Ryder; Director-General of the ILO to the meeting on his maiden visit to the region since his assumption of office in October 2012. In May 2014, Minister McLeod was invited by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to participate in a High-Level Panel on the topic

Head Office:Level 5 & 6 Tower C, International Waterfront Center1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.Telephone: (868) 625-8478.

Website:www.molsmed.gov.tt

“Achieving poverty eradication through full employment and decent work for all in the post-2015 development agenda.” This afforded the opportunity to re-affirm his position that “there can be no development without labour and no labour without development” while elaborating on the perspective that decent work is the best route out of poverty and providing examples of our national experience in reducing poverty levels.The Honourable Errol McLeod also led a tripartite delegation to the recently concluded 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland at ILO Headquarters. Preparations for the international discussions on forced labour, employment policies and transitioning from the informal to the formal economy were held in the context of the MOLSMED’s ILO 144 Tripartite Consultative Committee – a key social dialogue platform of the MOLSMED. In Geneva, meetings were held with Caribbean delegations, the Director General of the ILO and senior ILO Officials. How then does participation in these fora benefit Trinidad and Tobago and help to improve our lives?It allows us to contribute to shaping international labour policy and standards so that the lives of millions of workers around the globe and those of our own hard-working employers and employees could be improved. It also expands the knowledge base of the MOLSMED to enhance its contribution to national labour and development policy, the benefit of which is sound policy-recommendation relevant to national circumstances and consistent with international standards. It has also allowed us to highlight the challenges of developing countries, especially small-island developing states like ours, and secure opportunities for support in areas such as labour migration, social dialogue, labour inspection and industrial relations, to name a few. Our strong voice and meaningful contributions serve to enhance the profile of Trinidad and Tobago as a sovereign state committed to good governance, social justice, human rights and the improvement of living standards for its citizens.

Satellite Offices:NIB Mall, Scarborough, Tobago(868) 639-3421

Level 1-6 Duke Place50-54 Duke Street, Port of Spain (868) 229-0300

40-42 James Street,San Fernando (868) 652-3738 / 652-1350