Mission

We are an effective Court upholding the principles and practices of good industrial relations as pillars of industrial peace, economic and social development.

Vision

To be an industrial relations Court established under the constitution which is fair, equitable and expeditious in dispensing social justice.

 

Core Values

• Integrity
• Justice
• Honesty
• Equity
• Respect
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Discipline
• Loyalty

 

Establishment of the Court

The Industrial Court was established on March 20, 1965 by section 5(1) of the Industrial Stabilisation Act. This act was repealed and replaced by the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01 on July 31, 1972.

The Industrial Court is a superior Court of record, and thus, it has a status that is equivalent to that of the High Court of Justice. Additionally, it is a specialised court with its own peculiar jurisdiction and it is responsible for dispensing social justice.

 

Jurisdiction of the Court

In addition to its inherent powers as a superior Court of record, the Court has jurisdiction -

• To hear and determine trade disputes;
• To register collective agreement and to hear and determine matters relating to the registration of such agreements;
• To enjoin a trade union or other organization or workers or other persons or employer from taking or continuing industrial action;
• To hear and determine proceedings for industrial relations offences under the IRA; and
• To hear and determine any other matter brought before it, pursuant to the provisions of the IRA.

 

Role and Function

The principal role of the Court is to settle unresolved disputes and other matters which arise between employers and trade unions representing the workers employed by the employers under:

• The Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01
• The Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, Chapter 88:13
• The Maternity Protection Act, Chapter 45:57
• The Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, Chapter 88:04
• The Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act, Chapter 88:08

 

Divisions of the Court

The Court sits in two Divisions. They are as follows:

1. The General Services Division which exercises the jurisdiction of the Court as set out in section 7 of the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01 with respect to services other than essential services ; and
2. The Essential Services Division which exercises the jurisdiction of the Court as set out in section 7 of the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01 with respect to essential services.

Under the Essential Services Division is the Special Tribunal established by the Civil Service Act, Chapter 23:01 which hears and determines disputes in the Civil Service, the Police Service, the Fire Service, the Prison Service, the Teaching Service, the Supplemental Police and Central Bank. The Special Tribunal consists of the Chairman of the Essential Services Division of the Industrial Court and two other members of that Division selected by the Chairman.