Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 1995)

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Article 5(1)(a)–(e) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the ILO 144 Tripartite Consultative Committee (TCC) was reconstituted for another term, from 2021 to 2023. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government regarding the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held in the TCC, which met 20 times between May 2021 and August 2022. The TCC reviewed and approved reports on ratified Conventions to be submitted to the ILO under article 22 of the ILO Constitution for 2020 and 2021. In addition, the TCC considered the country’s position with regard to items on the agenda of the 109th and 110th Sessions of the International Labour Conference in 2021 and 2022, including with respect to the proposed conclusion on the standard-setting process for the Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208), adopted at the 110th Session of the Conference. The TCC examined the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC 2006). The TCC concluded that efforts should be made to advocate for the inclusion of some of the provisions of the MLC in existing or proposed legislation and administrative guidelines. As the MLC would be implemented in Trinidad and Tobago through the Shipping Act, it would be important that compliance with the Convention be prioritized by the Government. The TCC also considered that there was a need to conduct more stakeholder sensitization sessions on the MLC to promote greater understanding of and compliance with the provisions of the Convention. With respect to the possible ratification of the Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149), the TCC reviewed and endorsed the findings and recommendations set out in a gap analysis prepared in consultation with the Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA), which examined the provisions of Convention No. 149 in light of national law and practice. The Government indicates that the TCC continues to undertake consultations with the relevant bodies regarding the measures required to ensure compliance with Convention No, 149. In relation to the possible ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), the Government indicates that the TCC undertook an analysis of the provisions of these instruments and the status of existing measures in Trinidad and Tobago in relation to these provisions. The Government reports that it is working towards initiating action that would lead to any legislative changes that might be necessary in order to effectively implement the provisions of these conventions. Lastly, the Government indicates that the Work Programme for 2021–23 includes an examination of the implementation and possible ratification of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the status of the TCC following the end of its 2021-2023 term, and to continue to provide updated detailed information on the frequency, content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held within theTripartite Consultative Committee on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by Article 5(1)(a) the Convention. It further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the outcome of consultations concerning the possible ratification of: the Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149); the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189); the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190); and the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930.