GoB and NTUCB Discuss Key Issues

Prime Minister John Briceño met with representatives of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on Friday. PM Briceño said they “discussed a range of issues,” including the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, representation on the KHMH Workers Union Board, appointments in the judiciary, SPV-SSB Committee, Amendment to Finance and Audit Act, Tertiary Hospital Act Amendment, Starlink to Belize, and Auditor General Post and Office. 

Briceno said it was a “very constructive meeting and agreed on most of the issues on a way forward.”

The meeting took place at the Eleanor Hall Building in Belize City. The NTUCB said the meeting was amicable and proved fruitful. 

Eight months ago, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government announced that Cabinet approved amendments to the OSH Bill, which replaces the Factories Act. The new legislation establishes the National Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Inspectorate to oversee workplace safety.

Initially presented in January 2011, the OSH Bill has undergone major revisions after receiving feedback from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the NTUCB. Extensive consultations took place in late 2023, culminating in proposed amendments submitted to Cabinet on January 30, 2023, which have now been approved.