VISION

To be a vibrant, reliable organization which provides information and assistance to Trade Union, other governmental organizations and the public in a timely and efficient manner.

MISSION

To provide assistance to persons desiring to form Trade Unions by advising them of the statutory provisions regarding Trade Unions and to be a source of information and guidance to Trade Unions to ensure that they are run in a businesslike and responsible manner and in accordance with the Trade Union Act.

GOVERNANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Trade Unions Act, Chapter 88:02, governs the Trade Unions Division. See a summary of the Trade Unions Act, Chapter 88:02…

summary…

TITLE: AN ACT RELATING TO TRADE UNIONS

This Act provides for the registration and statutory supervision of trade union. It also outlines the duties and privileges of trade unions. The expression “trade union means any combination, whether temporary or permanent, the principal object of which are under its constitution statutory objects.

Formality is necessary for creating, as distinct from registering, a trade union. Almost all employers’ associations and all branches of trade unions, might come within the definition of a Trade Union, though the popular conception of a trade union is, and has always been, limited to an organisation of workers.

While under the Trade Union Act a trade union can comprise an employers’ association, the I.R.A. confines trade unions to organisations of employed persons.

As regard the system of registration of trade unions, the object is to ensure that these organisations should have at least a minimum of formal organisation. The requirement to register is mandatory. However, the obligations of registration are not burdensome. The rules of the union have to be registered and are required to contain provisions dealing with certain minimal matters of the internal government of the union. Upon registering a trade union, the Registrar of trade unions issues a certificate of registration. A registered union has to submit an annual financial return to the Registrar.

The Act restricts the freedom of a trade union to use funds for political purposes except those enumerated in Section 33. Every trade union must keep proper accounts and establish a satisfactory system of control of its accounts, and the union must cause these accounts to be audited by qualified auditors appointed by the Registrar.

As to internal trade union administration, the union’s rule book normally makes these provisions because the law does not deal with this. Thus, matters like admission, discipline and election procedures would be normally found in union rule books.

Main Functions/Activities

What are the main functions/activities of the Division

The main functions/activities of the Division are to:

		Register new Trade Unions;
		Register partial and complete alteration of rules;
		Register amalgamation of Trade Unions;
		Appoint Auditors to audit the books of Trade Unions;
		Ensure that Trade Unions submit Annual Returns and Audited Financial Statements and check those submitted;
		Ensure that Trade Unions comply with the provisions of the Trade Unions Act and enforce the said Law where the Unions violate the provisions of the Act;
		Register change of registered office, change of name of Trade Unions and dissolution of Trade Unions;
		Appoint Auditors and investigators of special audits under Section 16 (4) and (5) of the Act;
		Register direction given for transfer of stock;
		Register cancellation or withdrawal of certificates of registration; and
		Prepare annual reports.

Listing of Trade Unions

For a listing of Trade Unions registered in Trinidad and Tobago click here…

Registering a Trade Union

Trade unions are associations of employees in a particular trade, industry, or company, created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining. It is necessary to register all trade unions in order for them to be legally compliant and recognised. Registration also gives trade unions and their members benefits such as protection from legal prosecution, as outlined in the Trade Union Act. Trade union registration is in the best interest of both the trade unions and their members.

		How do I register a trade union?
		Where can I find more Information?

 To register a trade union, you must:

		Complete in duplicate a Trade Union Application form (‘A’) available at the Trade Unions Unit of the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development at the address below. This application must be signed by seven (7) members of the trade union.
		Submit the completed and signed form to the Trade Unions Unit along with two copies of the Rules of the Union, with the same seven members signing the last page of each copy (this must be marked “A”). A separate marked (‘B’) prepared in duplicate, detailing the names, positions held within the union, addresses, and telephone numbers of the seven signatories must be attached.
		Once these steps have been completed, the Trade Unions Unit will issue you a deposit voucher. This voucher must be taken to any District Revenue Office, where a fee of TT$5.00 must be paid for which a receipt will be received. Please follow the link below for District Revenue Office locations.

After the fee is paid, you must bring the receipt to the Trade Unions Unit, where the official certificate of registration will be issued.

Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development
Trade Unions
Level 4,
Duke Place,
#50 -54 Duke Street,
Port of Spain.
Tel: (868) 299-0300