OSH Bill Shelved Once Again, Three Days Before Labour Day

With Labour Day just days away, unions were gearing up to celebrate what many called a hard won victory for Belizean workers. The Senate was set to approve the long awaited Occupational Safety and Health Act, a bill unions have pushed for over years, some say decades. The law would modernize workplace safety, hold employers legally responsible, mandate accident reporting, and create inspectors to enforce standards across all sectors. For organized labour, it was a breakthrough moment, one they planned to highlight at rallies this Friday. But celebration turned to confusion in the Senate. After limited debate, the Leader of Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, called an unexpected recess. When the chamber resumed, the bill was quietly shelved, with no explanation.

 

Eamon Courtenay, Government Senator

“We believe that it represents the best balance that is achievable, that respects the working conditions, the place of work, the rights of workers, the rights of businesses, the rights of owners of businesses and it provides for safety. I have no doubt that all senators will support the bill. It is our hope and expectation that we can do so hopefully on this occasion with not many amendments and that we will be able to move the bill forward and pass it so that it can be brought into force. It is long overdue. We know that the unions have been advocating for it forever. We are hoping that the day is near where we can see it as a part of our law.” 

 

Patrick Faber, Opposition Senator

“We absolutely, absolutely are ecstatic that this bill is before us. We thing it is long overdue. We think it is time but we feel that it is our obligation to point out these flaws. These things that can be readily addressed in the manner in which we have suggested to make this bill the best bill for occupation in this country, for workers in this country, for employers in this country, for the safety of our entire nation.”

 

Eamon Courtenay

“Mr. President, can we suspend for ten minutes to do some consultation on this bill?”

 

Linsford Castillo, Vice-President, Senate

“Members, based on the request of the Leader of Government business, we will suspend the session for approximately ten minutes.”

 

Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President of the Senate

“The Senate resumes. The Occupational Safety and Health Bill 2025 will remain in this legislative stage at the second reading.”

 

The shelving of the OSH Bill marks yet another setback in a fight labour unions have waged for more than a decade. What was supposed to be a moment of celebration at Friday’s Labour Day march has now become a flashpoint, fueling fresh calls for action from union leaders instead.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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