GRENADA (Commonwealth Union)_Grenada’s Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour, and Consumer Affairs has named the island’s first female Labour Commissioner. According to a news release announcing her selection, Valerie Thomas offers a plethora of knowledge and experience to the post, having worked extensively in the field of Labor Relations.
Thomas, a Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies graduate, specialised in Labour Studies with a focus on Negotiations, Labour Administration, Labor Dispute Management, and Tripartite Dialogue. Her professional background includes work with one of the largest labour unions in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as a track record of success in the Industrial Courts. Mrs. Thomas also has expertise in the Grenada Public Service, having worked in General Administration and Human Resource Development for over 17 years.
As Labour Commissioner, Thomas will drive the Ministry’s transformative labour strategy and devote special attention to completing the labour code review, improving case management, moving the occupational safety and health agenda forward, creating a workplace disability and decent work regulatory regime, improving dispute resolution to ensure justice and compliance and increasing productivity in the workplace.
Claudette Joseph, Minister of Labour, welcomed Thomas to the Ministry and charged her with resolving pending labour disputes, engaging key labour partners, and advancing labour priorities. “Mrs. Thomas brings to the role a remarkable mix of labour administration and industrial relations experience and skills,” Minister Joseph remarked. “We are certain that she will carry out her responsibilities to the highest standard, and we look forward to her contributions in furthering the Department of Labour and its work programme, as well as the Government’s broader transformative agenda.”
Thomas is a proud daughter of the earth, hailing from the town of Grand Bras, St. Andrew. She is dedicated to Grenada’s growth and is passionate about strengthening the labour management function for the mutual benefit of employees and businesses.
Her appointment as Labour Commissioner became effective on November 3, 2022. The Grenada government congratulated her predecessors, Cyrus Griffith, who served as Labour Commissioner for more than 20 years, and Reginald Lord, who supervised the transition of the Labour Department over the final three months as Labour Commissioner.
