NTUCB Makes Plea for OHS Bill in Senate

Luke Martinez

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize reignited its call for the Occupational Safety and Health Bill to be enacted following Wednesday’s tragedy at the Belize Defense Force Air Wing. Today, NTUCB Senator, Luke Martinez, urged fellow parliamentarians to get behind the trade union’s call, noting that every day the legislation is not passed; workers will continue to be buried.  

Luke Martinez, Senator, NTUCB

“Our concern not only today but for a while is the Occupational Health and Safety Bill that needs to be enacted now. Madam President, we have been meeting with the minister responsible for labor whose ministry has the mandate to ensure that this bill goes to Cabinet, that it comes to the National Assembly, so that we approve the legislation. For everyday that we continue to ignore the fact that health and safety is not important we have workers in this country who continue to fall to their deaths and serious injuries. We met with the Prime Minister a few months ago and he had given us his commitment that in September this government would table the OHS. Madam President we are in October, a life was lost a day ago. Someone is in hospital right now because of negligence at the work place. Sorry cannot bring back a life. Meaningless compensation cannot bring back a life but if we ensure there is safety in the workplace we will save lives.”