THE CONCILIATION UNIT SEEKS TO:

• Promote good industrial relations practices;

• Manage conflict through dialogue and conciliation;

• Conciliate in actual or potential trade disputes reported to the minister;

• Provide information and advice on industrial relations matters to unions, employers and the general public and;

• Promote preventive conciliation.

The Ministry’s compulsory conciliation service is available to trade unions, employers and in certain circumstances, to individuals. Provision of the service is enshrined in the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01, which to a great extent, circumscribes the Industrial Relations system of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Unit undertakes conciliation in all disputes emanating from the private sector and certain areas of the public sector. In addition to the legal compulsory service, the Ministry’s conciliation service is also available on a voluntary basis such as:

• Through reports made to the Director of Labour Administration and;

• Through advice given to members of the public.

CURRENTLY, A NUMBER OF ISSUES ARE ENGAGING THE ATTENTION OF THE UNIT, INCLUDING:

• Inadequate compensation packages of Labour Relations Officers resulting in the rapid turnover of the Unit’s technical staff;

• Establishment of an information system;

• Emerging trends in industrial relations/human resource management especially in light of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and;

• Re-examination of draft Labour Legislation 

For further information please contact the Conciliation Unit:

Duke Place #50 - 54 Duke Street

Port of Spain

Tel: 299-0300  ext: 2045, 2085, 2043