#1Preserving and Extending Decent Work as a Key Pillar in the National Responses to COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago ILO Regional Webinar on COVID-19 Responses Monday 6 April, 2020 Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED) TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#2TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Overview 1. Employment Related Measures 2. Measures to Protect Business 3. Social Measures 4. Participation of Tripartite Institutions 5. Challenges and Opportunities Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#3Policy Framework for COVID-19 Responses RW [2]5 The ILO has identified three key pillars to fight Covid-19 based on International Labour Standards 1. Protecting workers in the workplace 2.Stimulating the economy and labour demand 3. Supporting employment and incomes TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#4Employment Related Measures Measures to Expand Access to Paid Leave Measures to Adapt Work Arrangements • . • Draft National Policy Guidelines on Preparing Workplaces in Trinidad and Tobago for COVİD 19 developed by the MOLSED in collaboration with the Chief Personnel Officer Including a provision for Pandemic Leave • Only workers in ‘essential' sectors to report to jobsite during 30 March-15 April 2020 Measure was given effect through Regulation No.7 of 2020 under Sec. 105 of the Public Health Order • Alternative arrangements in place for workers in 'non-essential' sectors e.g.teleworking/"Work From Home' TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE OSH Measures • The OSH Agency has produced a set of Guidelines for Employers and Businesses Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#5Measures to Protect Business The Ministry of Finance is implementing a series of Financial and Economic Support Measures to promote business continuity and in turn, job preservation, including: Decreased Interest Rates • Commercial banks to reduce the prime lending rates to 6% TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE • TT$100m to be made available Liquidity through Credit Union loans to its Support Loan Programme . members. The objective is to provide liquidity support to individuals and small businesses Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#6Social Measures Income Support Measure to be implemented by the Ministry of Finance and administered by the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago Salary Relief Grant Temporarily unemployed individuals are eligible for a grant of up to $1,500 for a three (3) month period. This grant will be provided via the NIB in the first instance. TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#7Social Measures (cont'd) Grants being made available through the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development to address the issue of income loss. To access social support, an individual or a member of their family must be retrenched/terminated or experience reduced income on or after March 1st, 2020 and where the reduced gross income (minus statutory deductions) of the family, does not exceed $TT10,000.00 TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Social Support Measures for Retrenched, Terminated and Individuals/Families with Reduced Income Social Support Measures available for this group for the next three months: 1. Public Assistance Grant; 2. Rental Assistance Grant 3. Temporary Food Support Card#8Participation of Tripartite Institutions The social partners were consulted on response measures such as the Workplace Guidelines through the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) In keeping with the requirements for social distancing meetings were held online The Employers' Consultative Association (ECA) provided guidelines to employers on options for adjustments to work and salary TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development NTAC Members#9Challenges and Opportunities The challenges facing us, nationally regionally and globally are clear -changing demands on how work is done and for employees to be prepared to adapt to these changes, need for support mechanisms -Include health, economic, security and social challenges -There are also opportunities in the continued implementation of the response measures which can benefit us outside of the crisis context e.g. - - Greater use of 'Work from Home'/Teleworking Arrangements with clearly established deliverables (can reduce time lost in commuting, thereby boosting productivity) Increased use of online platforms for meetings (can lead to financial savings and reduced carbon footprint) TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development#10Tinaka Stokeria Maake Dhanyavadagalu 감사합니다. Ram Sad Hamma Dankon Matondo Tack Dank Je Bagodaram Dziekuje Juspaxar நன்றி Manruuru Biyan Thank UaTay Ban Kej Grazas Dekuji Nirringrazzjak Saksama ist Welalin Danke Grazie Arigato Machchakkeram Gracias cầm do bạn You -Gratias Tibi Obrigado ありがとう Li Djiere Dient Go Raibh Maith Agat ขอมอบคนคุ้น Merci Salamat TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHACHIEVE Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development 10