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Thursday 15 October 2015

Trinidad and Tobago Labour Board

Q: What kinds of matters does the Labour Board deal with?
A: There is no such thing as a "labour board" in Trinidad & Tobago. There is a Ministry of Labour with different units. For workers, the two main units would be the Labour Inspectorate Unit and the Conciliation & Labour Relations Unit.

  • The LIU deals with issues regarding minimum wage workers.
  • The CLRU deals with matters regarding any other aspect of employment. To an individual worker, their only purpose is to offer basic advice and direct you to a trade union.* The CLRU is the first stop for workers, but they can't offer any real help without the involvement of a union.

*You are welcomed to join our trade union: Trinidad and Tobago Workers' Association.

67 comments:

  1. Hi. I'm currently employed as an office assistant for 8 months now. My employer pays me by cheque weekly and has never given me a pay slip or to any of his past employees. I've brought it to his attention and have also drafted pay slips formats for him to approve. I know that my contributions towards NIS and Health Surcharge are being paid but my employer does not see the need for the other assistant and myself to receive a pay slip.
    What can I about this?

    ReplyDelete
  2. can your employer suspend you until further notice without pay without giving you a reason verbally or in writing, and what is consider gross (definition)

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  3. I would like to know why does it take the industrial court such a long time to make decisions. I have had a matter in the industrial court since 2010 and my matter was heard on the 1 of December 2015 and to this date the judges can't make a decision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why is your Union allowing this delay is the real question...

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    2. Hi if you work with a private school does your employer have to pay maternity for j

      Delete
    3. Does your employer have to pay maternity if u work in a private school

      Delete
  4. After resining from a company,after two years how long does it takes to be paid for your vacation leave that u never took.

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  5. Hi i was working in this place for three years now and I end up getting pregnant so i stayed home from December to July to go back to work reason for leaving so early cause I work waitress and the crowd would be too much for me to walk around in and the reason for me to stay in home so long was baby was giving trouble to go on bottle. But my employers was all cool with it cause i told them before I leave and they was ok. But now I want to go back to work and they saying they don't want me back it's that ok

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi how can I contact you privately please. Email or fb or google+ please it's urgent I also left a message at the tT workers association face book page but I'm not sure if the page is active. I have two issues I'd like to discuss and know my rights concerning them thank you

      Delete
    2. Hi, you can reach our union at ttworkersassociation at gmail.

      Delete
  6. Hello good day I have a problem I'm a monthly paid worker i use up all my 14 days sick leave I work two days on two days off i miss 3 days of work from the month. They told me that they send down the info to the bosses n the paid me nine days only can u tell me what to do please

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Contact our union
      https://www.facebook.com/ttworkersassociation/

      Delete
  7. Can u work for a year n three months n not get any vacation not under any contract n if getting it will be one week unpaid

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  8. If you work in a company for more that two years and was fired on the spot without any notice .What is the legal action or compensation that can be done?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Call our trade union: Trinidad and Tobago Workers' Association.

      Delete
  9. Where I work you can "sell your vacation" meaning if you do not wish to take your vacation, the employer would pay you a day's pay for each day vacation you apply for. You are not forced to take this route but it is a perk of sort, if you are a well performing employee otherwise they encourage you to take the time off. Is there any Act (OSHA etc) that says that employees need to have a vacation break?

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  10. Hi. I'm working with a company for almost 5yrs now. They recently without warning or proper reason dropped all staffs 40hr a week to 30hrs a week. Is there anything I can do about this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Call our Union:
      This is considered a breach of contract.

      Delete
  11. Hi.... My employers place of business is at their residence....the workers share a washroom with the residence the washroom is one toilet and a bathroom which is used by the residence
    We are not given water we the workers buy our own we don't have a kitchen nor a little area we can make tea or warm up our lunches........ its an accounting business

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. According to OSHA 2004
      If 5 or more workers, employer must provide:
      39(1) – Potable water

      40 – toilet facilities with soap and water

      42 – Changing rooms

      43(1) – First-aid boxes/cupboards

      45. (1) - Lunchrooms OR (2) Canteens

      Delete
  12. My boss was taking out nis for the last 8 months and nothing havent pay.

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  13. Is it right for the local government to work me from 7am to 1 pm without lunch or a break time and no washroom facilities. What is my rights concerning that and what can I do. No union representative came and said anything about it.

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  14. Hi, I currently work at a food service provider where they implemented a shift system but they are not paying us over time or time and a half when we work on holidays.We are also due for salary increase four over four years now and no word on this to date. When i checked my pay slip i worked eleven hours but was only paid for eight is this justified in any way?

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  15. In a case Locke that what steps can I take

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  16. Good morning,

    Seeking advice. An employee was given a termination letter with immediate effect on 10 November 2016, the letter is dated 4th November 2016 however he worked up until the 6th November 2016. The letter states that he was given both verbal and written warning to which he never received written warnings.

    Please help me advise him on the way forward.

    With much thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Is there a certain amount of job letters you can request from your employer in a year?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Good day,
    My co-workers and I (2 co-workers) have been working at a government organization for the past 12 years. We have served four, two-year contracts. Since the last contract ended, we have been working continuously without a break in service for the past four years, with the promise of a renewal from our employer. We are constantly given the run around and would like to know if we have any legal redress or is there any action we can take to correct this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You do not need a written contract to confirm your employment. And a written contract is not mandatory. You are all permanent employees and you have nothing to worry about. If, however,any of you are dismissed because "your contract ended" it will be a wrongful dismissal and we will definitely handle the matter if that situation does arise.

      Delete
  19. HI good day.
    Is a company allowed to take 2 weeks of your salary if you did not give them 2 weeks notice before you left especially if your Co workers were rude and disrespectful and your manager was a pig? (It was included in their contract to which I signed not knowing proper protocol)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You MUST get what you worked for. Being in the contract makes no difference.

      Delete
  20. Hi have a friend working for a security company in chaguanas ran by a spiritiual leader name garvin. This man pays no NIS or health charges for his workers, you work sunday to sunday for 12hrs an collects a salary of $4,000 a month, if you miss a day he deducts whole $200 from your salary. Now my friend was on leave an he returned to work an he worked for to weeks an keep in mine no days off for 12 hrs. Is it right to pay your worker only $500 for two weeks???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No

      Contact our union
      https://www.facebook.com/ttworkersassociation/

      Delete
  21. Can an empolyer make you work out the day then terminate your contract

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi, i have been working with a private organization for the past 8 years, 3 of which i worked part time. bearing in mind had no vacation leave etc. on the 29 december i was told that my service will be longer be needed. what process should i take.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi,i work in the public sector. I recently requested a form for time off fora personal day from my manager, i fill it out giving the reason for the time off as "personal matters".I was called into the managers office which she demanded to know why i needed time off and that writing personal matters is not a good enough reason.what then should i have written?

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  24. I work at a supermarket and was told my religion is a problem

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  25. my company is laying of workers due to slow business I have been called into the office where they notified me that I am being considered to be laid off, they severance package will be paid but the 45 days they told me that i will have to be working to get it.....is this legal?

    ReplyDelete
  26. good morning is it legal for my employer to pay half salary while on maturity leave

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First month full pay next two months hald pay NIB paysvtherest r you paying

      Delete
  27. Hi good day can an employee sign up a form to apply for time off and the employer tell them to use it from their vacation days, is that right ???

    ReplyDelete
  28. A security guard get suspended until further notice without a letter of suspension... Reason... Two of her co-workers get in trouble with the law concerning a larceny of a cell phone... The guard refuse to give information on her co-workers to the police.. the guard was call in the office with the manager concerning it... They want her to resign or they will fire her... Instead she get suspended until further notice... What do u think she should do

    ReplyDelete
  29. A security guard get suspended until further notice without a letter of suspension... Reason... Two of her co-workers get in trouble with the law concerning a larceny of a cell phone... The guard refuse to give information on her co-workers to the police.. the guard was call in the office with the manager concerning it... They want her to resign or they will fire her... Instead she get suspended until further notice... What do u think she should do

    ReplyDelete
  30. A security guard get suspended until further notice without a letter of suspension... Reason... Two of her co-workers get in trouble with the law concerning a larceny of a cell phone... The guard refuse to give information on her co-workers to the police.. the guard was call in the office with the manager concerning it... They want her to resign or they will fire her... Instead she get suspended until further notice... What do u think she should do

    ReplyDelete
  31. I got employed at a company,I was put on 3 months probation,I worked for 2 months and a half,I was called to the office and given a termination letter,I asked why was I being terminated and was told that I was complaining on the roster,I was not told verbally or even given a warning letter,in the 2 months and 2 weeks of my employment I didnt miss 1 day,most of the time I worked by myself,counting stocks being loaded on to trucks,I was terminated 2 months before Christmas,so I had no Christmas,I was offered 1 mo.ths salary as compensation,was my termination legal,

    ReplyDelete
  32. I got employed at a company,I was put on 3 months probation,I worked for 2 months and a half,I was called to the office and given a termination letter,I asked why was I being terminated and was told that I was complaining on the roster,I was not told verbally or even given a warning letter,in the 2 months and 2 weeks of my employment I didnt miss 1 day,most of the time I worked by myself,counting stocks being loaded on to trucks,I was terminated 2 months before Christmas,so I had no Christmas,I was offered 1 mo.ths salary as compensation,was my termination legal,

    ReplyDelete
  33. I was hired at a company as a security officer,I have more than 20 years in the security industry,im 48,I was put on 3 months probation,after making 2 months and 2 weeks I was called to the office and given a termination letter,reason for me being terminated,they said complaning on the roster and not doing my job,2 months before Christmas,I had no Christmas,when I said im going to to the ministry of labour I was offered a months salary,I told them all I wanted was my job back,they said that they can't give me back the job,what can I do,I want back my Christmas,

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi I've been working as a dental assistant for 4 years and I have not gotten any vacation or time off and when I get sick my boss does not pay my sick leave before he use to pay it now he's talking about how hard the economy is and also I was not given proper lunch time and now when I leave he's saying I was never permanent after working 4 years he's not saying that I'll like to know what too do also he does not give any pay slips and much more

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am working at my place of employment for 10 years now i was told from other workers that i should be getting 2 weeks holidays every year which i don't get and the employer recently went on a holiday for one week and closed the business and none of the workers was paid a salary for the week

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello, I'm currently working at a company going 7 months. I was told in the interview that probation period would be 3 months. From inception I have requested a contract outlining my terms and conditions of my job, a meeting, a payslip or job letter and to date 22/08/19 I have not received anything. Even during the interview I questioned the salary they were offering and was only given a range, namely 5k- 6k. Currently I'm unaware of my gross salary however on my bank statement I am getting 4,8oo, I'm unsure whether my NIS and Health Surcharge are being deducted and/or paid. Also the company doesn't have a company sign outside. It is of my belief however that this company has something to hide and whatever it is,is affecting me as a young law abiding citizen who is seeking employment and security in a professional establishment.
    Due to this overbearing situation I would like to take action against them. Please inform me of how I may go about this.
    Thanking you in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi
    I was on sickleave during my holidays..do i still have to get my holiday and holiday pay?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holidays mean official government granted days-off.
      Vacation leave is the entitlement to personal time off.

      To which are you referring?

      Delete
  38. Hi! Where I am employed, I am being disciplined for a period that I was on leave due to a surgery following complications with said surgery. I got pregnant a few months after with which I've been having complications and so took some leave also. Can I penalized for sick leave due to surgery or pregnancy?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi good day I know of a Store on Fredrick St POS that doesn't pay nis for their workers and they are telling them it's because nobody there are permanent workers they are all on contracts and they (employers) don't have to pay nis for them (employees).
    They are also working more than 8hrs a day and is only entitled to 1/2 hr lunch.
    They also have no sick leave days or days off they work Mon-Sat those long hours and get call out on Sundays sometimes.....

    ReplyDelete
  40. Good evening,I know someone who is on maternity leave right now and supposed to be back to work by the 20th of this month. She have working for this establishment for 4 years now and it's been trouble to get payslips and holidays. They close for Christmas and reopen right after the new year which is not the full 2 weeks. Now she got a letter today via phone that it has become necessary for the company to reduce its workforce due to the covid-19 and she will be laid off temporarily from her job without pay. I failed to mention that her salary is another issue,it it always fluctuating and when she enquire about it it's a five weeks thing and always something. Need some advice please. Are they right

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've mentioned so many things... what are you specifically asking me to comment on?

      Delete
  41. Good day, I was employed with a company in Woodbrook on contract.from the 1at - 28th February 2020 however due to a very aggressive and uncomfortable work condition I ended my employ there on February 10th. Since then I have contacted the Manager who is the owner of this company on numerous occasions to collect monies due to me because he has agreed to pay me but all I'm getting now is the run around. March month end he called and told me to meet him at the office for my money,he never showed, he sent a text days after saying he would call and never did till Wednesday this week. He told me to meet him at the office for 10am today and again he never showed. I called him numerous times again. No answer. Please tell me what I can do? I am a single mother and this is beginning to be more than frustrating especially during this period uncertainty.PLEASE HELP!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seems as though you will have to consider taking action through a trade union.

      Delete
  42. Hi
    I've been sent on maternity early
    My job refuses to pay maternity
    They said dat I have had a baby a Yr before
    What should I do

    ReplyDelete

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