标签： Belize

BELIZE CITY – In a landmark legislative achievement, Belize’s National Assembly has passed the long-awaited Occupational Safety and Health Bill, marking a transformative moment for workplace protections nationwide. The legislation received its decisive second reading on February 6, 2026, culminating more than a decade of persistent advocacy from labor organizations.

Outside the parliamentary chambers, veteran labor leader Luke Martinez, former president of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), characterized the development as profoundly historic for the nation’s workforce. Martinez revealed his personal connection to the legislation dates back to 2014 when he first encountered the draft bill while serving as a records and research officer at the National Assembly.

The newly passed framework establishes comprehensive safety standards for workplaces across Belize, addressing what advocates have described as a critical gap in worker protections. Martinez emphasized that the legislation’s passage represents not the conclusion but the commencement of implementation efforts, noting that developing effective regulations will constitute the next phase of work.

Contrary to speculation that the bill served as a diversion tactic during other labor disputes, Martinez clarified that occupational safety legislation had been in development pipelines for years, with preliminary discussions involving the Prime Minister’s office preceding recent controversies.

The former union leader, who originated the “Rush the OSH” advocacy slogan, pledged continued collaboration with government and private sector stakeholders to develop specialized occupational safety training programs and ensure regulatory effectiveness. The legislation represents a tripartite achievement involving labor unions, employers, and government entities working collectively to enhance workplace safety standards.

BELIZE CITY – A significant religious commemoration took precedence over parliamentary proceedings on February 6th as Prime Minister John Briceño and several government representatives attended a special mass honoring the Jesuit Society’s 175th anniversary of service to Belize. The ceremony held at the newly constructed Fordyce Chapel on the Saint John’s College campus drew international attention with the presence of Father Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Jesuits, who traveled from Rome for the occasion.

The Prime Minister, himself an alumnus of Saint John’s College, emphasized the importance of governmental participation in the historic event. “The leader of the Jesuits was here and I think it was important for us as the government to be there,” Briceño stated. “He brought significant representatives from Africa, the U.S., and Latin America. I felt it was crucial as Belizeans to demonstrate our support and reverence for their visit while acknowledging their remarkable 175 years of service to our nation.”

The Jesuit order has maintained a profound presence in Belize since 1851, contributing substantially to education, social development, and spiritual guidance throughout the country. Today’s celebration not only recognized this enduring legacy but also highlighted the ongoing relationship between religious institutions and governmental bodies in Belize. The delayed House meeting underscored the administration’s prioritization of cultural and historical recognition alongside legislative duties.

Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño has thrown his political weight behind former Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employees in their escalating dispute over unpaid severance packages. In a significant development, the Prime Minister declared that the telecommunications giant must devise a viable solution to settle outstanding claims for more than 100 former workers.

During an interview with News Five, Briceño expressed his conviction that the former employees possess a compelling legal case for receiving their entitled compensation. He specifically noted the absence of any statutory limitations that would legally obstruct these payments from being made. “I do believe there is a strong case for these employees to get what is owed,” the Prime Minister stated unequivocally.

The matter is currently under active consideration by BTL’s board of directors, who convened a meeting specifically to address this contentious issue. Regardless of the board’s deliberations, Briceño emphasized the non-negotiable necessity of resolving the situation, asserting that “at the end of the day, some way has to be found to pay those people.”

This political intervention comes amid sustained protests organized by the Belize Communications Workers for Justice, who have maintained a three-day demonstration outside BTL’s corporate headquarters. The protestors have raised pointed questions about the company’s financial priorities, particularly its proposed acquisition of Speednet—reportedly valued at approximately eighty million dollars—while simultaneously claiming an inability to fulfill severance obligations to former employees.

The Belizean government has initiated a significant legislative overhaul targeting uninsured motorists. Transport Minister Louis Zabaneh presented a bill to the House of Representatives on February 6, 2026, seeking to amend the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risk) Act with substantially increased penalties.

Minister Zabaneh justified the proposed amendments by highlighting that the existing penalty structure, unchanged since 1999, no longer serves as an effective deterrent against driving without mandatory insurance coverage. The legislation would grant traffic officers expanded authority to immediately demand proof of insurance during traffic stops.

Current statutes impose maximum penalties of $400 in fines or six months’ imprisonment for driving without insurance. The proposed amendments would dramatically increase these penalties to $1,000 or up to eight months imprisonment. General penalties for other insurance-related offenses would similarly rise from $200 to $600, with potential jail terms doubling from three to six months.

The minister noted the legislation carries cabinet endorsement and has been forwarded to the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee for detailed examination and reporting.

The parliamentary session proceeded without opposition representation, as members boycotted proceedings in protest of the ongoing BTL-Smart acquisition controversy.