CitCo and N.T.U.C.B. join to host Labour Day Fair
It’s the first ever joint venture between the Belize City Council and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The purpose of their Labour Day Fest on Thursday is two-fold: to raise much needed funds and sensitise the public to issues involving labour and employment. And to accomplish those goals, the organisers have outlined a long agenda for the event.
Zenaida Moya, Mayor, Belize City
“A lot of people still don’t understand their rights as a worker. Of course, we understand that with rights come responsibilities. One of the key things that will be there will be display booths, informational booths. We have asked the different utility companies, the different large private sector businesses as well to come out here; have some of their personnel out here to inform what it is that is required to obtain employment at their particular firm. So we have asked that, we have gotten commitments from several of the larger businesses including the utility companies. We’ve also asked entities like Ready Call, some of the different hotels that want to ensure that persons sign up. So there will be opportunities for those persons seeking jobs to go out there and sign up for different employment opportunities. There will be also, the different training organisations and training departments even within the Belize City Council. So it won’t only be the public sector with the training organisations, also other entities. We’ve invited them for them to also be a part of the first annual Labour Day Fest. They will be there to inform of different trainings that they are offering to the public to get them on board. Some of them may not have jobs but they need different skills. We’ve also asked the Business Youth Trust to be there so that they can also discuss with those persons who may have business concepts but they will need funding. So we’ve also asked them to be there. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize, of course, they will be there with their booths—informational booths—to ensure that workers know different information that they need to know in terms of their rights. Membership Drive will be there, the Labour Department will be there. So whatever information yoh want know about yoh rights as wah worker, the Labour Department will be there along with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize.”
It should be noted that Mayor Moya first came to public prominence as a union activist. And in case you were wondering, there will be a multi-cultural food section, a wide range of local artists, adult competitions, games and mechanical rides for the younger citizens. The theme for Labour Day Fest is Building a Strong Economy based on Respect for the Rights of Workers.
