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

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Belize (Ratification: 2000)

Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes that the Labour Act was amended in 2020. Section 20 establishes that the tripartite Labour Advisory Board shall examine and make recommendations to the Ministry of Labour on all matters related to workers. The terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board include: (1) the examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations (Article 5(1)(c)); (2) the examination of reports submitted under articles 19 and 22 of the ILO Constitution (Article 5(1)(d)); and (3) the elaboration of replies to questionnaires sent by the Office (Article 5(1)(a)). It also notes the indication according to which, on 23 November 2021, the Cabinet approved a comprehensive review of the Labour Act following the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, on 15 February 2024, the Government published a press release announcing the launch of a comprehensive review of the Labour Act in the light of “evolving dynamics of the labour market and the pressing need to address contemporary challenges”. Lastly, the Committee observes that, pursuant to section 24 of the Labour Act of 2020, the Labour Advisory Board can, subject to the provisions of the Act and with the approval of the Minister, establish rules to govern its own procedures. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the functioning of the Labour Advisory Board since its establishment and the consultations held by the Board on the matters set out in Article 5 of the Convention, particularly with regard to the denunciation of ratified ILO Conventions (Article 5(1)(e)).The Committee also requests the Government to provide a copy of the terms of reference of the Labour Advisory Board.

Article 5(1)(b). Submission to the National Assembly. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, according to which: (1) on 13 January 2020, the Labour Advisory Board sent to the Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, an information document on the submission of instruments to the competent authority in order for the necessary measures to be taken; (2) on 27 April 2021, the Ministry submitted to the Cabinet 43 instruments adopted by the International Labour Conference between 1990 and 2019; and (3) on 28 July 2022, the standards specialist of the ILO Office for the Caribbean provided training for members of the Labour Advisory Board to enable the Ministry to complete the submission process. The Committee also notes that the Government will provide a report as soon as the aforementioned process has been completed. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide updated information on the progress made with the submission process initiated in 2021, and to also indicate the measures taken for the submission of instruments adopted by the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (June 2023). The Committee also requests the Government to specify which authority has the competence to submit proposals regarding the submission of ILO Conventions and Recommendations, in accordance with article 19 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization.