E/C.12/1/Add.80
page 3
15.
The Committee is concerned about the lack of facilities for persons with disabilities, who
are unable to participate in many occupations owing to physical barriers and lack of equipment.
16.
The Committee is concerned about the high rate of unemployment in Trinidad and
Tobago, in particular among young people between 15 and 19 years old.
17.
The Committee notes with concern that women earn less than men for work of equal
value, especially in the private sector.
18.
The Committee is concerned that the minimum wage is not sufficient to provide a decent
standard of living for workers and their families.
19.
The Committee is deeply concerned that the minimum age for work, which is too low, in
certain cases as low as 12 years, leaves children more vulnerable to exploitation and prejudices
their right to education.
20.
The Committee is concerned at the range of categories of workers denied the right to
strike with legal justification. The Committee also notes with concern the existence of
legislation that greatly restricts the recognition of trade unions in collective bargaining with
employers.
21.
The Committee is concerned about the high rate of child labour. In this respect, the
Committee notes with concern that the State party has not ratified ILO Convention No. 182 on
the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
22.
The Committee is concerned that despite some positive initiatives, including the
establishment of the Domestic Violence Unit, the incidence of violence against women remains
high. The Committee also notes with concern the persistence of gender stereotypes that
discriminate against women.
23.
The Committee is concerned that clandestine abortion is the cause of a high rate of
maternal mortality due to infections and complications from procedures performed under
unsanitary conditions by untrained personnel.
24.
The Committee also notes with concern the continuing high rate of HIV/AIDS, especially
among young women.
25.
The Committee notes that the State party, in answering questions about specific
programmes devoted to reducing and preventing infant mortality and maternal mortality, as well
as teenage pregnancies and back-street abortions, did not provide disaggregated data on a
comparative basis which would put the Committee in the position to ask focused questions as to
how the delineated health programmes have actually been put into practice.
26.
The Committee is deeply concerned about the living conditions of prisoners and
detainees in the State party, especially with regard to access to health care and adequate food and
basic facilities.