Occupational Safety Bill Returns to House After 11-Year Hiatus

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill was first introduced for first reading in the House of Representatives in January 2014.  It didn’t see a second reading, but rather, it went for nationwide consultations.  Eleven years later, it is back in the House, and was again introduced today, this time, by the Minister of Labour, Florencio Marin Junior.   According to Marin, it is a Bill that would see the establishment of the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate.  He spoke for some ten minutes indicating that the OSH Bill would repeal some elements including the Factories Act.

Florencio Marin Jr, Corozal South East Area Representative: “The introduction of this bill in this House today reflects not only the commitment of our workers and employers but our nation’s collective commitment to human dignity, fairness, and the value of labour. By strengthening and enforcing OSH policies we are not only protecting workers, we are building a safer, healthier and more productive society. Mr. Speaker, the current Factories Act, which this bill seeks to repeal, is outdated and limited in scope. Our workplaces have evolved significantly and so too must our laws. This new OSH Bill expands protections beyond factories to cover all workplaces and sectors, ensuring that every worker in Belize has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. The development of this bill, Mr. Speaker, has spanned more than a decade. With the Cabinet’s renewed mandate in 2024 and continued technical support from the International Labour Organization, we finalized the draft bill through wide stakeholder consultations. This bill, Mr. Speaker, aligns with Belize’s international commitments under ILO Conventions No. 155 and 187, and supports the implementation of our Decent Work Country Program 2024-2029. One of the most significant features of this final draft of the OSH Bill is the restructuring of the institutional framework for OSH governance. Initial proposals had recommended establishing a standalone Occupational Safety and Health Authority alongside a dedicated OSH inspectorate. However, based on guidance from the International Labour Organization and a careful review of Belize’s national context, this model was reconsidered. The ILO advised that rather than creating a new statutory body, Belize should establish a national OSH Advisory Committee and a dedicated OSH Inspectorate under the Ministry of Labor.”

The OSH Bill is expected to mandate risk assessments, the provision of personal protective equipment, and regular safety training for workers. Furthermore, the Bill is anticipated to empower labor inspectors with greater authority to ensure adherence to the new regulations and impose penalties for non-compliance.  Proponents of the Bill highlight the potential for legislation to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, thereby contributing to increased productivity and a more robust national workforce.  It will now undergo further debate, potentially be sent to a committee for review and public consultation, before returning to the House for a second and third reading. If passed by the House, it will then move to the Senate for ratification.