Remarks by
Her Honour Mrs. Heather Seale
President, Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago
at the
SERVICE OF DIVINE WORSHIP
on the occasion of the
60th Anniversary of the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago
under the theme
“Dealing with Labour Affairs for 60 years”
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Speaking analogously, today the Industrial Court takes its sixtieth step in what we trust will be a very long journey for the Court.
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the date on which the Industrial Stabilisation Act, No. 8 of 1965, was assented to. It was passed during a state of emergency. Here we are today celebrating our diamond jubilee during another state of emergency.
On 31st July, 1972 the ISA was repealed and replaced by the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01, which mandated the Court to make better provision for the stabilisation, improvement and promotion of industrial relations and which is still in existence as amended over the years.
Today is a day for giving thanks and honouring those Members and staff, past and present, who have contributed to making the Industrial Court the institution it is today. The Court began with five Members and in its first year, April 29, 1965 to April 28, 1966, 49 matters were filed. Today the Court is comprised of twenty-four Members and between 800 to one thousand matters are now filed annually.
Those who took the first steps in the hallowed halls of the Court were, Sir Isaac Hyatali, then Justice of Appeal designated as President of the Court on March 31, 1965, Vice-President His Honour Mr. Harold A. Hutson, a barrister-at-law of more than ten years standing, appointed April 15, 1965. Their Honours, Mr. J. O Neil Lewis a qualified Economist and Dr. Zin Henry also a qualified Economist with experience in industrial relations, were both appointed April 1, 1965. The appointment of His Honour Mr. G.C. Awang, a qualified Accountant took effect on August 16, 1965.