Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development: Errol McLeod

Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development
Head Office
Level 5 & 6,
Tower C,
International Waterfront Centre
#1 Wrightson Road,
Port of Spain.
Tel: (868) 625-8478
Website: www.molsmed.gov.tt

Biography of the Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development the Hon. Errol McLeod:  The Honourable Errol McLeod is a renowned trade unionist and labour leader whose achievements and contribution to the labour movement is well-recognised throughout the Caribbean. Trained in electrical craft and refinery operations Minister McLeod began his training career as a ‘teacher mentor’ while still a teenager and later entered the oil industry. In the 1960s, he began his long relationship with the energy sector as he worked at Texaco, now the state-run Petrotrin refineries, at Point-a-Pierre.
In 1987 he was elected President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU), a position he held for 21 years until his retirement in 2008.  He also served on the Executive of the International Federation of Energy, Chemicals, Mines, and General Workers Union based in Brussels for 16 years, where he represented 27 million workers worldwide. He is also a co-founder of the then local Committee for Labour Solidarity.

Not unexpectedly, given his interest in the welfare of others, Minister McLeod later entered national politics from 1976 to 1981 he was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Oropuche on the United Labour Front (ULF) ticket.

As an honest, determined, and passionate person who values relationships and is committed to nation building, Minister McLeod welcomes the opportunity to be of service again and has embraced his position as Member of Parliament for Point-a-Pierre and Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development. His passion is to continue to contribute to the social transformation and economic development of Trinidad and Tobago and he encourages others to do likewise.

Minister of Labour, Small and Mirco Enterprise Development Responsibilities for Business and Departments of Government:

Co-operatives (including Credit Unions)

Employment and Manpower Placement

Factory Inspectorate

Labour Education:

• Health and Safety Awareness

Labour Inspectorate

Labour Relations

Occupational Safety and Health

Overseas Employment Programmes

Enterprise Development:

• Micro Enterprise
• Small Business

Trade Disputes

Trade Unions

Wages Council

Unemployment Relief:

• Unemployment Relief Programme (URP)

Statutory Boards and other Bodies:

Boilers Examiners Board

Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies

Friendly Societies

Minimum Wages Board

Registration, Recognition and Certification Board

Occupational Safety and Health Authority:

• National Productivity Council

Wholly-owned Enterprises:

National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited