and Trade Practices - Trinidad and Tobago
Released by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
U.S. Department of State, March 2000
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work: In June 1998 the government passed the Minimum Wages Act which established a minimum wage of TT$ 7 (US$ 1.10) per hour, a 40 hour work week, time and a half pay for the first four hours of overtime on a workday, double pay for the next four hours, and triple pay thereafter. For Sundays, holidays, and off days the Act also provides for double pay for the first eight hours and triple pay thereafter. The Maternity Protection Act of 1998 provides for maternity benefits. An Occupational Safety and Health Act is currently before Parliament.
The Factories and Ordinance Bill of 1948 sets occupational health and safety standards in certain industries and provides for inspections to monitor and enforce compliance. The Industrial Relations Act protects workers who file complaints with the Ministry of Labor regarding illegal or hazardous working conditions. Should it be determined upon inspection that hazardous conditions exist in the workplace, the worker is absolved for refusing to comply with an order that would have placed him or her in danger.
