Occupational Safety Bill Finally Ready After Years of Union Pressure

After more than a decade of delays, the long-awaited Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill is complete and set to be tabled in the House of Representatives. Yesterday, Minister of Labour and Local Government, Florencio Marin Jr., confirmed that after years of consultations and drafting, the legislation has been finalized. The development follows sustained pressure from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), which has consistently pushed for stronger legal safeguards for workers. Despite repeated commitments by past governments, the OSH Bill remained stalled for years. Marin emphasized that the bill has been a long time coming and highlighted its critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of Belize’s workforce.

Florencio Marin Jr, Minister of Labour and Local Government: “Perhaps the biggest news we can offer everyone today is that the first Occupational Safety and Health Bill, or OSH, has been successfully drafted with the help of the Attorney General’s Ministry, and in a couple of months, the OSH will be reintroduced after final approval by Cabinet. This is a critical step in modernizing Belize’s workplace safety laws. Mr. Speaker, this bill was first introduced to the House in the year 2014, over a decade ago, 11 long years. Our government, Plan Belize, the leadership of Prime Minister Briceño, we will now finally bring it to fruition very soon, Mr. Speaker. I believe this for the Department of Labor and our ministry and this government will be a significant, a signature achievement for everyone. When I was speaking with the unions for their Labor Day, they were using a phrase of “rush the OSH” I think soon that phrase will soon be out of style.”

The NTUCB, the unions which represents workers, is yet to officially comment on the bill’s completion.