Labor Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt is reminding unions that any action that disrupts work, whether it’s walking off the job or slowing down services, counts as a strike under Belizean law. And that means there are rules to follow. In the past, some KHMH Workers Union members claimed they were simply on break or using a day off during protests. But the law is clear: if the action causes work to stop or services to be interrupted, it’s considered a strike. And there are consequences. Violating the rules under the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act could lead to fines or even jail time. The law also outlines a formal process for resolving disputes, which includes notifying the Minister of Labor before any industrial action begins.
Rissela Dominquez-Patt, Labour Commissioner
“Under section fifteen which is one of the section we empathized the employer or the worker, in this case the union, they shall, and we have to respect that, they shall not take part in any strike in connection with any dispute. If there is a dispute they shall not take part in any strike. The legislation provides a definition of a strike. It says the cessation of work by a body employed. What do we understand by cessation of work. It does not say full cessation or part cessation. In terms of cessation, we mean any stop of work. So any think that has to do will stop of work whether part or complete that is cessation. So if you are going to take any action you need to understand how this will affect the work you do. Will that be considered a cessation of work, whether part fully.”
Paul Lopez
“What could be the possible ramifications as outlined in the law in the event they decide to take any one of these actions outside of presenting a notice?”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“If they fail to present a notice it means they cannot strike and if they proceed to strike it means that anything in the legislation is an offense and that offense is punishable under summary conviction. So there is a fine and there is imprisonment. So if we decide to enforcement the legislation, they are breaking the law in small terms, there will be a fine and possible imprisonment. Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominquez emphasized that every citizen is afforded the right to freedom of speech under the constitution. So, they can engage certain actions as long as it does not stop the essential service they provide.”