Unions Enter Final Stage of OSH Bill Review

Marcelo Blake

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has completed its review of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.  The unions are now conducting their final review. Following the completion of both reviews, a joint position will be presented to the Minister of Local Government. That time is drawing near says President of the B.C.C.I., Marcelo Blake, who gave reporters some details of the recommendations being made by the B.C.C.I.’s membership.

Marcelo Blake, President, B.C.C.I.

“We have actually concluded all the reviews. What we have done now is actually create a marked up version of the bill. So, instead of looking at documents and excel sheets and all of that in different parts, we have compiled all of that into the bill. So, there is a marked up version that the unions are going to review. We have done our review; they are going to do their final review. And, once they have signaled their consent for us, we will write to the Minister of Local Government and be able to submit our position jointly for them to consider.  It is important for us to continue to look out for our employees and to ensure that they are working in a safe environment, but at the same time, it can’t be to the detriment of businesses. Because, in the official version or I should see, the original version of the bill, there were quite some steep fines that would have crippled businesses. But, also in there it shares the onus of the responsibility, because the employee is just as responsible as the employer in cases where there are health and safety issues. So, it is important that we continue to ensure that our members are going to be adhering but also covered from certain levels of risks where the employee chooses not utilize the resources that have been given to them by the employer.”