About Us

The ECA is the largest association of Employers in Trinidad and Tobago, and a dedicated advocate for a stronger, more resilient and informed Employer community. The ECA is committed to representing, with excellence and professionalism, the interests of Employers as they relate to labour and social policy at the national and international levels.

The ECA not only possesses a clear understanding of potential issues that are likely to arise from a poorly managed workforce but is also capable of identifying and implementing strategies to mitigate these human capital risks. We understand that proper management of human capital will result in the achievement of both strategic and operational goals of any organisation. This, we believe, will ultimately contribute to the socio-economic success of our nation.

The Beginning

On December 17th, 1959, Mr. A. Elder representing Furness Withy and Company Limited, Mr. R.J.W.S. Struthers representing Campbell Booker Trinidad Limited, and Mr. W.B. Pyett, who was given the title of Organising Secretary, met in the Board Room of Stephens & Todd Limited and agreed that an organisation, which would be named the Trinidad and Tobago Employers' Consultative Association, would be given life. On that day, twenty-two (22) members who had put forth their applications were elected into the membership and five (5) of these founding members are still in existence.

By February 16th 1960, the organisation had attracted thirty (30) members and it was then that it was formally registered. Mr. R.J.W.S. Struthers was elected the first Chairman and Mr. W.B. Pyett was hired as the first employee of the ECA, as Company Secretary.

Between June 1962 and June 1963, five (5) countries joined the International Labour Organization (ILO). One of those new members was Trinidad and Tobago, who had gained its independence just nine (9) months prior, and the employers' member of the first tripartite delegation to the 47th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) came from the ECA. Even at this first ILC, the delegate of the ECA actively participated in the Conference, addressing the Plenary and serving as a member of the Committee that dealt with "Termination of Employment", which was one of the agenda items at this ILC.

The Founding Members

The following are the founding members of the ECA, five (5) of which are still in existence today:

  • Alcoa Steamship Company Inc.
  • Apex Trinidad Oilfields Limited
  • Campbell Booker Trinidad Limited
  • Caroni Limited
  • Federation Chemicals (Yara Trinidad L​imited)
  • Furness Withy and Company Limited
  • The Coconut Growers Association Limited
  • T. Geddes Grant Limited
  • J. Glendenning & Company Limited
  • J.N. Harriman & Company Limited
  • J.T. Johnson Limited
  • Miller Stores Limited
  • Neal & Massy Holdings Limited
  • Shell Trinidad Limited
  • Texaco Trinidad Inc.
  • Trinidad Agencies Limited
  • Trinidad Clay Products Limited
  • Trinidad Concrete Products Limited
  • Trinidad Consolidated Telephones Limited (TSTT)
  • Trinidad Lake Asphalt Limited
  • Trinidad Petroleum Development Company Limited (PETROTRIN)
  • West Indian Oil Industries Limited
Past Presidents/Chairmen
1959-1962

R.J.W. Struthers

President

1963-1965

C.V. Pereira

President

1966-1969

Dennis De Verteuil

President

1970-1971

Waldo Nunez

President

1972-1973

James Brady

President

1974-1975

R. Rostant

President

1976

R. Rostant
N. Wyatt
M. Scott

President Management  Committee

1977-1978

M. Scott
N. Wyatt
J. Horsham

President Management  Committee

1979-1980

David McKnight

President

1981

John F. Horsham
Emil de La Grenade
Ernest Murray

President Management  Committee

1982

Emil de La Grenade
Ernest Murray
W.A. Hilton-Clarke

President Management  Committee

1983

W.A. Hilton-Clarke

President

1984

Emil de La Grenade

President

1985-1986

W.A. Hilton-Clarke

President

1987-1989

Ernest Murray

President

1990

Emil de La Grenade

President

1991-1992

W.A. Hilton-Clarke

President

1993

Joshua Henry

President

1994

Peter Salvary

President

1995

Seeram Ken Maharaj

President

1996-1997

Seeram Ken Maharaj

Chairman

1998-2001

Gerard Pinard

Chairman

2002-2004

Dane Darbasie

Chairman

2005-2006

Clarence Rambharat

Chairman

2007-2009

Martin de Gannes

Chairman

2009-2010

Ruben Mc Sween

CHAIRMAN

2011-2013

Keston Nancoo

CHAIRMAN

2014-2017

Suzetta Ali

CHAIRMAN

2017-Present

Keston Nancoo

CHAIRMAN

Past Executive Directors/Chief Executive Officers
Dates Name Designation Dates Name Designation
March 1960 - December 1960 Mr. W.B. Pyett Organising Secretary January 1961 - January 1964 Mr. Robert Douglas Edwards Director/Secretary
February 1964 - November 1965 Mr. T.B. Hughes Director December 1964 - December 1966 Mr. G.C. Boxill Assistant Director
January 1967 - November 1968 Mr. J.A. Brady Director July 1969 - January 1980 Diana Mahabir-Wyatt Director
February 1981 - June 1984 John L. Nunez Director August 1984 - April 1990 Robert M. Robinson Director
May 1990 - November 1991 Ruby Thompson-Boddie Director December 1991 - December 1994 Emru D. Millette Director
October 1995 - June 2015 Linda M. Besson Executive Director July 2015 - January 2018 Joycelyn Francois Chief Executive Officer
February 2018 - January 2022 Stephanie Fingal Chief Executive Officer (Interim) February 2022 - Present Ronald Ramlogan Chief Executive Officer

Upcoming Sessions

Driving Performance With KPIs: A Step-by-Step Approach Driving Performance With KPIs: A Step-by-Step Approach
03/12/2024 8:30 am
Online - ZOOM Meeting
The Performance Appraisal Meeting: Moving Beyond the Basics The Performance Appraisal Meeting: Moving Beyond the Basics
04/12/2024 8:30 am
Online - ZOOM Meeting
Jingle All the Way To Financial Freedom Jingle All the Way To Financial Freedom
05/12/2024 9:00 am
Online - ZOOM Meeting
90-Minute Judgments (Overtime) 90-Minute Judgments (Overtime)
06/12/2024 10:00 am
Online - ZOOM Meeting

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