Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 1976, as amended to 2007
Public Institutions and Services
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    Whereas the People of Trinidad and Tobago—

    (b) respect the principles of social justice and therefore believe that the operation of the economic system should result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all, that labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions but that there should be opportunity for advancement on the basis of recognition of merit, ability and integrity;
    ... (Preamble)
Public Institutions and Services
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    (1) Subject to section 134, the law applicable to any benefits to which this section applies shall, in relation to any person who has been granted or who is eligible for the grant of such benefits, be that in force on the relevant date or any later law that is not less favourable to that person.

    (7) This section applies to any benefits payable under any law providing for the grant of pensions, gratuities or compensation to persons who are or have been public officers in respect of their service in the public service, or to the widows, children, dependants or personal representatives of such persons in respect of such service. (Sec. 133)
Public Institutions and Services
  • English
    (1) Where under any law an authority has power to withhold, reduce in amount or suspend any benefits to which this section applies, that power shall not be exercised without the approval specified in subsection (2), (3) or (3A).
    (2) Subject to subsection (3A), where a person who has been granted benefits, or who is eligible for benefits, in respect of public service was at the time he ceased to be a public officer subject to the jurisdiction of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, the Police Service Commission or the Teaching Service Commission, the power referred to in subsection (1) shall not be exercised with respect to those benefits without the approval of that Commission.
    (3) Subject to subsection (3A), where a person who has been granted benefits, or who is eligible for benefits, in respect of public service was not at the time he ceased to be a public officer subject to the jurisdiction of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, the Police Service Commission or the Teaching Service Commission, the power referred to in subsection (1) shall not be exercised without the approval of the Public Service Commission.
    (3A) Where a person, who is eligible for benefits in respect of public service, was at the time he ceased to be a public officer subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police, the power referred to in subsection (1) with respect to those benefits shall not be exercised without the approval of the Commissioner.
    (4) No benefits to which this section applies that have been granted to or in respect of any person who is or has been the holder of an office referred to in section 136(12) to (16), or for which any such person or his widow, children, dependants or his personal representatives may be eligible, shall be withheld, reduced in amount or suspended on the ground that that person has been guilty of misbehaviour, unless that person has been removed from his office under this Constitution by reason of such misbehaviour.
    (5) For the purposes of this section, service as a Judge shall be deemed to be public service.
    (6) This section applies to any benefits payable under any law providing for the grant of pensions, gratuities or compensation to persons who are or have been public officers in respect of their service in the public service or to the widows, children or personal representatives of such persons in respect of such service. (Sec. 134)
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Chapter 2 on Citizenship.
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Chapter 1 on The Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 1 on The Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 1 on The Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 3 on The President.
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Chapter 3 on The President.
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Chapter 1 on The Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.