The Division of Community Development and Social Protection has signed a Permanent List Agreement with the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), a move said to strengthen job security for eligible Daily-Paid Workers within the Division.
The agreement was signed on July 8 during a meeting held in the Division’s third-floor executive conference room.
Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Farley Augustine led the Division’s delegation, which also included Assistant Secretary Ackel Franklyn, Administrator Dr. Onyekachukwu Okpala, and several other senior officials and administrative staff. The union side was represented by NUGFW President General Christopher Streete, along with the union’s deputy presidents, its Tobago Division president, and other officials.
Under the agreement, eligible workers currently on the Regular List will transition to the Permanent List, receiving permanent letters of appointment and the job security that comes with them. The Division says the change is also expected to improve operational efficiency and service delivery across Tobago, sharpen the supervision and deployment of Daily-Paid Workers, and put a more equitable seniority structure in place.
Officials added that the agreement should help cut down on prolonged stagnation in promotional opportunities and strengthen longer-term workforce planning and succession management within the Division.
Both parties described the signing as a reflection of their shared commitment to fair employment practices, workforce stability, and the continued delivery of quality public services throughout Tobago.