May 16, 2017: It was with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Rennie Dumas, a former Minister of Labour, whom we knew was ailing for some time. Notwithstanding our foremost hope for a full recovery, God saw it fit to call him home thus ending his valuable journey on earth. We extend condolences to his family and loved ones on his passing.
During his tenure at this Ministry, Mr. Dumas implemented several landmark policy decisions, which have positively impacted the work of the Ministry to this day. One of those policy decisions was the implementation of a National Workplace Policy for persons living with HIV/AIDS and further to this the establishment of the Ministry’s HIV/AIDS Advocacy and Sustainability Centre (HASC), which champions the non-discrimination of persons living with HIV/AIDS, in the workplace. At the time of the implementation of this policy, Trinidad and Tobago was one of only two countries in the world with such a policy.
Mr. Dumas, whose career saw him as a Teacher, Trade Unionist, Manager and Business Policy Analyst lent his considerable knowledge to the development of the Small and Micro Enterprise Sector in Trinidad and Tobago. It was under the former Minister Dumas that the Ministry’s Enterprise Development Division was set-up to guide policy and it was here that he also focused his attention on the Ministry’s FairShare Programme. The FairShare Programme enables small enterprises to bid for Government Contracts up to $1million TTD. Mr. Dumas spearheaded the implementation of the policy that gave effect to new loan amounts under the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO), which were announced in the 2009 Budget.
One of the first duties of the former Minister, on assumption of Office in 2007 was chairing of the 15th Inter-American Conference of Labour Minister.
As the Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development I have seen first-hand the contribution of this giant of a man to the development of the dual portfolios of this Ministry- both Labour and Small Enterprise Development. I will continue to work feverishly to advance the gains that he strived to accomplish.
On behalf of the Staff of the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development we extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Rennie Dumas and our expressed gratitude for his contribution to the field of Labour and Public Service. We join the national community in mourning his passing. May he rest in peace.
-END-