Media Release - The Ministry of Labour and International Organization for Migration strengthen ties
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Thursday 1 June 2023
Officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Port of Spain, led by Ms. Jewel Ali, Head of Office paid a courtesy call to the Honourable Stephen Mc Clashie, Minister of Labour. This took place on Friday 19 May, 2023 at the Ministry of Labour’s Head Office, Port of Spain.
The Honourable Stephen Mc Clashie, Minister of Labour, welcomed the IOM Officials and commended their continued support to the Ministry of Labour, the most recent being the translation, redesign and printing of Brochures for the Labour Inspectorate Unit, Conciliation Advisory and Advocacy Division and the HIV Workplace Advocacy Unit; three core (3) Divisions/Units of the Ministry which lead the labour administration function in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Minister expressed interest in collaborating further with the IOM and was particularly interested in the sharing of data that can show the levels of child labour, wages and the real issues facing migrants to inform the work of the Labour Inspectorate Unit (LIU) and the Conciliation Advisory and Advocacy Division (CAAD). He believes this will illustrate a clearer picture of the migrant situation and allow for a targeted approach in the protection of migrant workers and children. The Minister also called for more collaborations with the HIV Workplace Advocacy Unit (HWAU) in respect of a joint effort for increased promotions on HIV awareness, testing, discrimination and other key areas of concern among the local and migrant population.
Ms. Jewel Ali, IOM Port of Spain’s Head of Office shared information on the ongoing consultations for its draft Caribbean Strategy and strategic plans and also provided a comprehensive overview of the current and upcoming initiatives of the IOM which include a training needs assessment for MOL Units. She made a number of recommendations for further collaborations including two-way sensitisation exchanges with the LIU and CAAD, strengthening relations and mounting strategic collaborations.
Also present from the IOM team were Ms. Desery Jordan-Whiskey, Project Officer and Ms. Kandy Serrant, Reporting and Communications Officer. The Minister’s team comprised, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Savitri Balkaran, Ms. Sabina Gomez, Chief Labour Relations Officer, Mr. Farouk Mohammed, Chief Labour Inspector Specialist, Ms. Rosa-Mae Whitter, Director International Affairs and Ms. Kaliyma Boxill, International Affairs Officer.
Since 2006, the IOM has maintained a presence in Trinidad and Tobago and has continued to provide technical and logistical support to various programs related to migration management (including counter-trafficking initiatives), multilateral discussions on migration, assistance to migrants and victims of trafficking as well as capacity building for government and non-governmental organisations which provide services to migrants.
The IOM is one of the Ministry of Labour’s international partners and over the past years has been instrumental in providing technical support to the Ministry of Labour in a multitude of areas including:
- Translation of at least fifteen (15) information brochures from English to Spanish.
- Provision of support in the making of recommendations for amendments to three (3) key pieces of national legislation, namely, the Foreign Labour Act, Employment Exchange Act, and Recruiting of Workers’ Act.
- Technical assistance in the development of policy namely the Draft Labour Migration Policy for Trinidad and Tobago.
- Participation in IOM’s data gathering exercises including the Displacement Tracking Matrix, Situational Analyses, and the Situational Assessment Socioeconomic Integration of Venezuelan Migrants in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Hon. Stephen Mc Clashie, Minister of Labour addresses the IOM and MOL Teams at this Courtesy visit.
Ms. Jewel Ali, Head of Office IOM Port Spain presents to the Hon. Minister, brochures translated into Spanish on the employment of young persons.
Ms. Jewel Ali presents a stack of English brochures to the Hon. Stephen Mc Clashie, on the Rights and Responsibilities of Workers and Employers.
The Hon. Stephen Mc Clashie, is joined by to his right: Ms. Savitri Balkaran, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Desery Jordan-Whiskey, IOM’s Project Officer and Ms. Rosa-Mae Whittier, Director, International Affairs. To his left is Chief Labour Relations Officer, Ms. Sabina Gomez.
Back row from L-R: Ms. Jewel Ali Head of Office IOM, Mr. Farouk Mohammed, Chief Labour Inspector Specialist and Ms. Kaliyma Boxill, International Affairs Officer.
For further information please visit the Ministry’s website at www.labour.gov.tt. Or contact the Corporate Communications Unit: Tel: 625-8478 Ext. 1203,1509,1208 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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