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Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Belize (RATIFICATION: 1999)

Articles 4, 7, 8 and 11 of the Convention. National policy on occupational safety and health and implementing laws and regulations. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that in 2003 a consultant was contracted to develop, in accordance with this Convention, an Occupational Safety and Health Bill (OSH Bill) and a National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (OSH National Policy). The Committee further notes the information that the National Occupational Safety and Health Committee (NOSHC) held countrywide consultations in 2004, with employers, workers and government departments on the proposed OSH Bill and OSH National Policy. The Committee welcomes the Government’s statement that Cabinet has now approved the proposed OSH National Policy and mandated the Attorney General’s Ministry to interpret draft legislation of the proposed Bill, and that the Government is now in the process of redrafting the OSH Bill to reflect amendments made by NOSHC after its 2004 review. The Committee requests the Government to submit copies of any new legislation as soon as it has been adopted; and to provide information on the measures taken and envisaged to give full effect to all the provisions of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that as of May 2008, approximately 114,465 workers were covered by the Labour Act, Factories Act and the Policy. The Committee further notes the attached statistical information on the number of workers, disaggregated by occupation and gender. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of reported occupational accidents and diseases, and to provide further information on the application of the Convention in practice.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2010.]