NATUC wants consultation on Industrial Court appointments

THE NATIONAL Trade Union Centre (NATUC) wants to have a say in the appointment of members to the Industrial Court.

President of NATUC, Robert Guiseppi, has written the Minister of Labour Lawerence Achong to this effect and a copy of the letter has been sent to Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Guiseppi pointed out to the Minister that the tripartite approach was deeply entrenched in TT’s industrial relations system. The Industrial Relations Act (IRA), he said, provides for among other things, the appointment of members from among persons experienced in industrial relations. “Furthermore, it has also been the practice that in the appointment of members to the Court, the Minister of Labour would consult with the Trade Union Centre and invite nominations from them.”

According to Giuseppi, the IRA also allows for the appointment of trade unionists on the Recognition Registration and Certification Board. “Having regard to a need to fill several upcoming vacancies, I propose that we adopt an approach that is consistent with past practice,” he said. In this regard, he suggested that the three social partities — Government, employer and labour — be invited to submit a list of candidates for consideration by the Standing Tripartite Committee (STC) to the Minister who, in effect, is Chairman of the STC. According to Giuseppi, “The Minister will then summon a meeting of the Committee to consider the appointments.”