Industrial Court for San Fernando

SAN FERNANDO is getting its own Industrial Court. Own in the sense that no longer will employers and trade unions in the southern areas have to depend on the umbrella court in Port-of-Spain to arbitrate on disputes related to South Trinidad. The infrastructure for the court is in place. A building has been acquired on Irving Street, San Fernando, and it is the first time since the Industrial Court was established in 1965 that another court is being established outside  Port-of-Spain, notwithstanding the fact that the court has held sittings in Tobago periodically, but not in its own building.

Furniture and other fixtures for the San Fernando court are being sought, and it is expected that the court will be formally opened within the next two months. There will be two court rooms and sittings are expected to be held on a daily basis. This permanent court in San Fernando is welcomed by the President  of the Industrial Court,  Addison Khan. He noted that the idea of a second court had been in the air for more than three decades. Justice Khan said he welcomed the idea of the San Fernando court and thought it would go a long way in fulfilling the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) — that there should be expeditious settlement of disputes.

Meanwhile, the Vice-President of the Industrial Court, Her Honour Gladys Gaffoor will be calling it a day on January 26 after serving for more than 12 years. Her Honours’ who is one of the most experienced attorneys-at-law in the country, is expected to continue using her talents in another legal area, all for the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago. She was at one time a serving magistrate as well as acting Director of Public Prosecution and Solicitor General, before taking up her Industrial Court position.