Attorney General Explains Hold-Up on Occupational Safety Law

After more than a decade in the works, Belize’s Occupational Safety and Health Bill is stuck in the Senate. Senators are pushing back, warning that the legislation still has serious flaws and contradictions that need fixing before it becomes law. But the delay has sparked concern. Some say every setback leaves workers exposed to on-the-job risks with no modern protections in place. Social partners, however, insist it’s better to get it right than rush it through. So, what’s really holding things up? And how long will workers have to wait? We put those questions to Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre, who explains the thinking behind the holdup.

 

Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General

“As the government’s legal advisor legal adviser, I can only advance what has been put forward by the government is that we’re not saying that domestic workers, that people should not be afforded protection. But given the regime, that would be created under OSH bill, it poses some difficulties. So for instance, if you engaged a domestic worker, then you would be subject to the same level of scrutiny and the same level of responsibility as anyone, including a prominent business establishment. And the reality is that it may be difficult for a person who hires a domestic to be able to do that. So that’s a policy rationale why the government.  And it’s not based solely on the government’s own decision-making. This is a considered approach, a considered position that was taken after much deliberation. Remember the OSH bill has been, in consideration for fourteen years. So, what I would say is that is a sensible approach.”

 

The bill passed the House in February, but just weeks later it hit a major snag in the Senate, where disagreements over key provisions remain unresolved.

 

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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