The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Rissela Dominguez-Patt as the new Labour Commissioner, effective October 2022. Mrs. Dominguez-Patt was born and raised in the Corozal District, where she spent her childhood and received the majority of her education. Mrs. Dominguez-Patt is a career public officer who started working in the Labour Department in 2007 as a Labour Officer I. Due to her passion, motivation, commitment, and exceptional leadership skills, Mrs. Dominguez-Patt was promoted to the position of Senior Labour Officer and most recently served as acting Deputy Labour Commissioner. Mrs. Dominguez-Patt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, having worked extensively in the field of labour relations for more than 15 years.
Mrs. Dominguez-Patt holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Galen University. Having worked extensively with the Labour Department, she is fully knowledgeable and experienced in Labour Administration, Labour Dispute Management, Labour Laws, The Judiciary System, International Labour Standards, and Tripartite Dialogue. Mrs. Dominguez-Patt has participated in numerous certified trainings from the University of the West Indies (UWI), International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), OAS-Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) among others, in areas such as Labour Relations, Mediation, Court Etiquette, Labour Migration and Occupational Safety and Health. She has and continues to represent the Labour Department on various Committees and Boards pertaining to the labour sector.
In her capacity as Labour Commissioner, Mrs. Dominguez-Patt will drive the Ministry’s transformative labour agenda and give dedicated focus to:
• Undertaking a Comprehensive Review of the Labour Act
• Implementing the National Child Labour Policy
• Advancing the Occupational Safety and Health Agenda
• Advancing International Labour Standards in the Workplace
• Strengthening Dispute Resolution to ensure justice and improve compliance
• Addressing workforce preparedness and employment
• Addressing migrant labour for local industries
The Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Labour, welcomes Mrs. Dominguez-Patt as the new Labour Commissioner and charges her with the mandate to address labour disputes, engage key labour partners and advance the priorities of the labour sector.
The Ministry is confident that Mrs. Dominguez-Patt will execute her duties to the highest standard, and we look forward to her contributions in advancing the work programme of the Labour Department as well as the portfolio’s wider transformative agenda.