Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 (No. 141) - Belize (Ratification: 1999)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

The Committee notes the comments submitted by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on 12 November 2011 on issues raised by the Committee.

Article 5. Policy of active encouragement of rural workers’ organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to provide information on steps taken or contemplated to adopt a policy of active encouragement of rural workers’ organizations so that these organizations may play a role in the economic and social development of the country. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that: (i) Labour Officers are already aware that when conducting inspections and labour education, that they can speak to the unionization of workers, including rural workers, as a means of improving work conditions and as a result, life conditions; and (ii) National Labour Consultations took place in each District in Belize in 2009 and all workers and employers were free to partake in the discussion forums and voice their concerns. Noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report if any new measures or policies to actively encourage the participation of rural workers’ organizations in the economic and social development of the country have been adopted.

Article 6. Measures to promote understanding of the need to further the development of rural workers’ organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to take measures to promote the understanding of the need to further the development of rural workers’ organization, for example in the framework of the presentations organized by the Tripartite Secretariat and Labour Officers. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that: (i) the Tripartite Body is undertaking development of Labour Education Material that is to be distributed by the Ministry of Labour technical Labour Staff when conducting inspections/investigations; and (ii) the Tripartite Body will also have a slot to make presentations of their work and on the Trade Union Act and Trade Unions and Employers Organizations (Registration, Recognition, and Status) Act, at the next round of national consultations that the Ministry of Labour will be undertaking shortly, and mention will be made of rural workers. The Committee notes this information.