Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Equal Employment Act, 2000, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, marital status or disability in relation to employment, education, the provision of goods and services, as well as accommodation. The Committee notes that discrimination in employment as defined by the Act includes discrimination as regards recruitment, hiring, terms and conditions of employment, promotion, transfer and training, access to facilities or services associated with employment or any other benefit, vocational training, as well as dismissal or subjecting a person to any other detriment. The Committee also notes that the Act establishes an Equal Opportunity Commission and an Equal Opportunity Tribunal. Referring to previous comments noting the lack of legislative protection, the Committee welcomes the adoption of the new Act. It notes, however, that political opinion is not mentioned as one of the prohibited grounds. It requests the Government to indicate the reasons for this omission, as well as the manner in which discrimination on grounds of political opinion is prohibited in employment in practice and hopes that the Government will consider amending the Act, bringing it fully in line with Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the implementation of the Act, including indications as to the impact of the legislation on achieving equality in employment and occupation.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.