By Belize Live News Staff: After a decade of development, the long-anticipated Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill was finally introduced in the House of Representatives on Friday. The move was led by Minister of Labor Florencio Marin Jr., who confirmed that the bill marks a major leap forward for labor protections in Belize.
Speaking after the House meeting, Minister Marin emphasized the collaborative approach that guided the bill’s evolution, stating, “The ministry conducted dialogue with everyone, but that is one of the reasons that the ministry gave the advice when we took it finally to cabinet after the Attorney General’s ministry reviewed the bill.”
He explained that although the bill has been a long time coming, its final review is ongoing. “We’re truly hopeful that we can bring this bill to fruition, bake it into law as quick as possible. I think it will be beneficial for Belize, for everyone involved, for our stakeholders involved.”
The OSH Bill expands protection beyond factory workers to include all workplaces across Belize. Marin added that the bill will remain under the Ministry of Labor for now, keeping its structure flexible for future growth.
