Address by
Her Honour Mrs. Deborah Thomas-Felix
President of the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago
at the Special Sitting for the Opening of the 2022/2023 Law Term
These are interesting, historic times. This is the time when the Covid 19 pandemic continues to have a profound and catastrophic effect on our lives and it remains a major public health issue in every corner of the globe. It is the time when there is global inflation, which is mainly driven by increases in food and energy prices and disruptions in the supply chain. This is also the time when issues like climate change, economic inequality, poverty and broken health care systems loom large.
In addition to these troubling global interlocking issues, we continue to be plagued in Trinidad and Tobago with murders and other violent crimes especially crimes perpetrated against women.
This year our twin island State celebrates 60 years as an Independent nation, and 46 years of Republicanism. As I reflect on the Jubilee celebrations and what we have achieved so far as an independent nation, I cannot help but ponder on the words of the ILO’s Declaration of Philadelphia of 1944 and that of our Independent Constitution of 1962.
The Declaration of Philadelphia is very important in the history of the world and it promotes key principles which are embodied in law in many countries across the globe.