Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140) - Belize (Ratification: 1999)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 2 to 4 of the Convention. Formulation of a national policy on paid educational leave. The Committee notes the Government’s succinct report, which covers the June 2013 to July 2022 period. The Government indicates that there has been no change in the application of the Convention since its last report and that it is working on creating a policy. The Government further indicates that the public sector and some companies with trade union representation do have provisions in their regulations and collective bargaining agreements that cover the requirements laid out in Articles 2, 3 and 4 of the Convention. Noting that the ratification of the Convention dates back to 1999 and that no new measure seems to have been taken by the Government to ensure compliance with the obligations assumed under the Convention since the last report received in 2013, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to formulate, adopt and implement without delay a national policy to promote paid educational leave for the purposes set out in the Convention. It recalls that the Government can avail itself of the of the technical assistance of the ILO in this regard.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee had previously noted that 620 public officers had been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the three years period 2009–12. It notes from the study leave statistics submitted by the Government in its report that there has been a decline in the granting of paid educational leave, with a total of only 337 public service workers obtaining this type of leave, either with 80 or 100 per cent salary commitment, during the five-year period 2017-22. The Committee consequently requests the Government to provide additional information on the reasons explaining the decline in paid educational leave being granted in the public sector. It also requests the Government to continue to provide statistics relating to the application of the Convention, as well as any other documentation, including reports and studies, allowing an appreciation of the level of application of the Convention in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2023, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation.The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer.The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2022, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes with concern 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

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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

Repetition

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

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 initially made in 2014.

Repetition

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Granting paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 in which it indicates that even though the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include the drafting of a national labour policy, so far the Board has not been able to carry out this task because is still in the process of reviewing all labour and trade union related legislation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Please also indicate how this policy is coordinated with general policies on employment, education and training, and hours of work.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information submitted by the Government in its report and observes that a total of 620 public officers have been granted paid educational leave in various areas over the years 2009–12. It also notes that some private employers grant paid educational leave and that it is typically based on length of service of the employee and on whether the area of study is or not related to the business interests of the employer. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include documentation such as reports, studies and statistics allowing it to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

1. Articles 3, 4 and 6 of the Convention. Granting of paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes the report received in September 2009 in reply to its previous comments indicating that the Labour Advisory Board was reactivated on 13 March 2009. The Government indicates that the Committee’s comments concerning the development of a national policy on paid educational leave for workers in all sectors of the economy will be submitted to the Labour Advisory Board. The Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report how the measures taken by the Board have contributed to the design of a national policy on paid educational leave for workers in all sectors of the economy, contributed to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3, and coordinated with the general policies enumerated in Article 4.

2. Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes that presently no study has been conducted to evaluate the practical application of the Convention. The Government indicates in the report that the Public Service Regulations make provision for public officers to be entitled to paid educational leave and some collective agreements signed in the private sector make provision for paid educational leave. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report information on the effect given to the Convention through collective agreements, by submitting reports, studies, inquiries, and any available statistics on the number of workers granted paid educational leave in the public and private sectors.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Granting of paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes that the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention mostly contains information on the measures taken to provide paid educational leave for public officers under the Public Service Regulations, 2001. The Committee would be grateful to be provided with further information on the measures taken, within the framework of a national policy on paid educational leave for workers in all sectors of the economy in order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3 of the Convention, and coordinated with the general policies enumerated in Article 4.

2. Participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and institutions. Please indicate the manner in which public authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations and institutions or bodies providing education and training are associated, in a manner appropriate to national conditions and practice, with the formulation and application of the policy for the promotion of paid educational leave (Article 6).

3. Practical application. Please provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including extracts of reports, studies and inquiries covering both the public and private sectors (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

1. Granting of paid educational leave to all workers. The Committee notes that the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention mostly contains information on the measures taken to provide paid educational leave for public officers under the Public Service Regulations, 2001. The Committee would be grateful to be provided with further information on the measures taken, within the framework of a national policy on paid educational leave for workers in all sectors of the economy in order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3 of the Convention, and coordinated with the general policies enumerated in Article 4.

2. Participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and institutions. Please indicate the manner in which public authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations and institutions or bodies providing education and training are associated, in a manner appropriate to national conditions and practice, with the formulation and application of the policy for the promotion of paid educational leave (Article 6).

3. Practical application. Please provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including extracts of reports, studies and inquiries covering both the public and private sectors (Part V of the report form).