From Call Centers to Remote Work, Belize Labor Laws Lag Behind

Belize is taking a hard look at how its workforce has changed and rewriting the rules to keep up. The Ministry of Labor has launched a major review of the country’s decades-old Labor Act, saying it no longer reflects today’s reality. From the surge in call centers to the rise of remote jobs and tech-driven work, officials say the law needs to catch up with how Belizeans actually earn a living. CEO Tanya Santos says the effort is about closing gaps and bringing the law into the modern era. The ministry is now consulting with key players across the workforce to shape reforms that better protect workers and support a changing economy.

 

Tanya Santos, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Labor

“Its been decades as our standing legislation and it does not reflect in many areas our realities of labor today. There are many new emerging industries, many issues, many new ways in which people work. For instance, working from home, in technology, the call center business and so we need legislation that is reflective of the realities of the labor force today and the demands of labor today. So, it is always a perfect time to update your legislation. Without getting into any of the details, it is all the areas of new markets, new shortages, labor shortages, migration, how do we integrate that into the labor force more fully. It is also looking at how we can get skilled labor. How do we get our people trained to meet demands of industries that are requiring more skilled labor.”

 

The consultations brought in labor unions and key stakeholders from across sectors, including tourism and the Belize Chamber of Commerce.

 

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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