GOB Proposes KHMHA Act Amendment, KHMH Workers Union Says No

The Government of Belize issued a statement earlier today explaining that the Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, had proposed an amendment to the KHMHA Act to include the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on the Board of Governors. According to the statement, this change aims to improve representation and decision-making for all employees. It said that the NTUCB includes various member organisations, including the KHMHA Workers Union (KHMHAWU), to ensure diverse employee interests are considered.

However, the KHMHAWU rejected this amendment. In their own statement yesterday, they expressed that the amendment “removes the union’s right to representation on the Board of Governors,” replacing it with a representative from the NTUCB who cannot be a KHMHAWU member. The union stated, “At no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were we, the KHMHAWU, informed of any such changes, reasoning, or justification for removing our seat from the Board.”

The KHMHAWU emphasised the importance of their representation, asserting they “have a direct and intimate understanding of the needs, challenges, and issues faced by employees.” They are calling for a “full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of KHMHAWU’s right to have representation on the Board.”