Belmopan, June 30, 2025.
On June 27, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government. This landmark legislation establishes a modern and comprehensive legal framework to safeguard the safety, health, and well-being of workers across Belize.
The Bill repeals the outdated Factories Act and is the result of over a decade of development. It is grounded in extensive consultations and supported by technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO). It aligns with ILO Conventions No. 155 and No. 187 and supports the national Decent Work Country Programme 2024–2029.
A key feature of the Bill is the proposed restructuring of OSH governance. Based on ILO guidance, the legislation introduces a National OSH Advisory Committee and an OSH Inspectorate within the Ministry of Labour. This structure will enhance administrative efficiency and strengthen coordination within the broader labour administration system. This integrated model also allows flexibility to support future institutional growth.
To ensure the OSH framework remains dynamic and responsive to economic changes, the Bill provides a structured path toward the future establishment of a standalone OSH Authority.
The Bill outlines the responsibility of employers, workers, suppliers, designers, and property owners. It also introduces important provisions, including whistleblower protections, mandatory reporting of workplace accidents and diseases, and the formation of workplace safety committees. Enforcement measures include improvement notices, prohibition orders, and administrative penalties.
The Government of Belize encourages all stakeholders to support the passage of the OSH Bill, 2025 as a national priority to ensure safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces for all Belizeans.
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For more information, please contact:
Mrs. Rissela Dominguez-Patt
Labour Commissioner
Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government
