Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Belize (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes the comments of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in 2013 on matters that are already under examination.

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Protection against acts of anti-union discrimination. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the ITUC, there are cases of anti-union discrimination in the banana plantation sector and in export processing zones (EPZs), where employers do not recognize any unions. It also noted the Government’s indication that the comments would be submitted to a Tripartite Body established in 2008 under the provisions of the Trade Unions and Employers’ Organizations (Registration, Recognition and Status) Act. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the tripartite body has been meeting continuously and that the ITUC’s allegations were submitted to it for review. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that employers in the banana sector and in EPZs are not above the law and that those who feel that their rights have been violated can have recourse to the judicial system. Finally, the Committee notes the establishment of the Southern Workers Union (SWU), which represents workers in the shrimp, banana and citrus sectors and which, together with the Belize Workers’ Union (BWU), has developed a strategic plan to organize workers in EPZs. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistics on the number of acts of anti-union discrimination that are denounced to the authorities in these sectors and on the outcomes of these denunciations.

Article 4. Promotion of collective bargaining. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to take measures to amend section 27(2) of the Trade Unions and Employers’ Organizations (Registration, Recognition and Status) Act, Chapter 304, which provides that a trade union may be certified as the bargaining agent if it is supported by at least 51 per cent of employees, as this requirement of an absolute majority may give rise to problems given that, if this percentage is not attained, the majority union would be denied the possibility of bargaining. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that: (i) the Tripartite Body and the Labour Advisory Board have been engaged in discussions on a possible amendment to the Act; (ii) based on these consultations, it has been recommended to reduce to 20 per cent the trade union membership threshold required to trigger a poll, while retaining the requirement of a 51 per cent approval of those employees voting and to require a turnout at the poll of at least 40 per cent of the bargaining unit; and (iii) the Government and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) are in agreement with the proposal, although the Belize Chamber of Commerce would prefer to maintain the status quo. The Committee welcomes the initiatives taken by the Government to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention and requests it to continue promoting dialogue and to provide information in its next report on any developments in this respect. The Committee reminds the Government that it may have recourse to technical assistance from the Office, if it so wishes.