Belize will enjoy a more harmonious

industrial relations climate built on

enhanced social dialogue and human

resources development, contributing to

the achievement of its national

development goals.

REVIEW OF THE

DECENT WORK COUNTRY PROGRAMME (DWCP)

OF BELIZE (2009-2011)

AND RE-COMMITMENT TO DWCP IMPLEMENTATION (2012-2015)

International

Labour Office

Office for the

Caribbean

Belize

We, the tripartite constituents of Belize, have recommitted ourselves to working togetherover the period 2012-2015, to implement and support this Decent Work CountryProgramme. This Programme is part of our common strategy for ensuring that Belizeenjoys a more harmonious industrial relations climate that is built on social dialogue andhuman resources development, and contributes to the achievement of our nationaldevelopment goals.

~H~The Honourable Gabriel Martinez

Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

of Belize

l.#~ .U _j2Yn~iete!CL.~Ana Teresa Romero, Ph.D.DirectorlLO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents........................................................................................................ 3

Acronyms and abbreviations ........................................................................................ 4

Overview .................................................................................................................... 5

Table 1: Outputs of DWCP Implementation (2009-2011) .............................................. 6

Table 2: Priority No.2 (Revised) ................................................................................... 8

PART A: Review of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Belize ................ 10

Priority No. 1: Modernization and Harmonization of National Labour Legislation ........... 10

Table 3: Select ILO Conventions of direct relevance to the subjects of the national labour legislation under review ............................................................................................. 10

Table 4: Ratified ILO Conventions identified by tripartite constituents as relevant for the labour legislation review ............................................................................................ 13

Original Priority No. 2: Improvement of Skills and Employability .................................. 15

Priority No. 3: Institutional Strengthening of the Tripartite Partners ............................ 18

Table 5: Outputs of Belize’s Participation in ILO Subregional and National Training Workshops (2009-2011) (Government, Employers & Workers) ..................................... 21

Concluding remarks .................................................................................................. 23

PART B: The Decent Work Country Programme Outcomes .......................................... 26

Annex 1: DWCP Results Matrix (Revised) .................................................................... 27

Annex 2: List of Participants ..................................................................................... 39

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Acronyms and abbreviations AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome

BCCI Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CDB Caribbean Development Bank

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against

Women

CSME CARICOM Single Market and Economy

CVQ Caribbean Vocational Qualification

CWW Challenges Worldwide

DWA Decent Work Agenda

DWCP Decent Work Country Programme

ECOSOC United Nations Economic and Social Council

HIV human immunodeficiency virus

ILO International Labour Organization

LAB Labour Advisory Board

LMIS Labour Market Information System

MLLGRD Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

NOSHA National Occupational Safety and Health Authority

NOSHC National Occupational Safety and Health Committee

NTUCB National Trade Union Congress of Belize

NGO non-governmental organization

OSHE occupational safety and health and the environment

PES public employment service

SICA Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana

TVET technical and vocational education and training

UN United Nations

UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

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Overview

The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Belize was signed by high-level representatives of Government, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) in May 2009; approved by Cabinet on 17 July of the same year; and officially launched on 29 October 2009. In July 2011, the tripartite constituents and select national stakeholders met to review the progress they had made with regard to programme implementation and to identify outstanding work items. They also revisited the priorities of the programme against the background of experience, changing conditions in the internal and external environments and a better knowledge of the contexts in which inter-institutional collaboration is being undertaken. In the light of those discussions, they decided to amend the priority relating to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for employment. The aim is to align better the scope of actions to be taken in this area with the mandates and institutional capacities of the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development (MLLGRD) and the Ministry of Education. This is a new approach adopted by the two ministries to foster inter-sectoral collaboration and a commitment to policy coherence in the interest of the timely and effective achievement of the Programme’s objectives. These are the Ministries, which, together with the employers’ and workers’ organizations, will share the main responsibility for enhancing TVET initiatives and linking them to the public employment service (PES). The objective is to improve employment opportunities, especially for disadvantaged groups, by upgrading the content and delivery of TVET, matching skills to the demands of the labour market and making the job matching and advisory functions of the PES more effective. A robust labour market information system (LMIS) is being developed to support improvements in TVET and the PES. The Decent Work Agenda − namely, employment promotion, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue – underpins the national development goals of Belize. One of the official sources in which this is clearly articulated, is the Medium-Term Development Strategy (2010-2013) which was completed in July 2010. This Strategy highlights the importance of respect for human rights for pursuing poverty reduction and the country’s overall development, and it makes specific reference to the “right to health, education, decent work, participation, non-discrimination and information.”1

1 Government of Belize: Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce and Industry and Consumer Protection, Belize Medium-Term Development Strategy 2010-2013 (prepared by Patricia B. Mendoza, Consultant and Lead Writer and Staff of the Policy and Planning Unit of the Ministry) July 2010, p. 13.

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The tenets of Decent Work and the ILO’s Global Jobs Pact (2009) have shaped the country’s response to the social and labour effects of the global financial and economic crisis. Moreover, despite the financial constraints and attendant staff shortages exacerbated by the crisis, the tripartite constituents have reiterated their commitment to social dialogue and collaboration as they pursue implementation of the DWCP. In his official 2010 Labour Day address, the Honourable Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development of Belize, noted that: “A strong and vibrant social partnership is a critical response mechanism for the creation of decent work and the alleviation of poverty in our society.” It is in this spirit that the review of the DWCP was undertaken as the tripartite constituents and other stakeholders invited by them, met to take stock of their achievements since the Programme was signed in May 2009; they examined the challenges they had encountered and agreed on the action required to continue on course for programme implementation up to 2015. The following are summaries of progress made between 2009 and 2011 under the three priorities of the Programme.

Table 1: Outputs of DWCP Implementation (2009-2011) Priority No. 1: Modernization and harmonization of national labour legislation

Labour (Amendment) Act, 2011, enacted and entered into force on 1 May 2011 Draft OSH Bill prepared, submitted to Cabinet on 18 January 2011, and is under further review Original Priority No. 2: Improvement of skills and employability

Twenty-five (25) officials of the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development trained in Quality Assurance in TVET Management and Competency-Based Education (August 2011) Multi-sectoral Task Force on Labour Market Information (LMI) established in December 2010 with a mandate to determine existing gaps and make recommendations for improved data collection; work in progress for standardization of the collection, formatting, exchange and presentation of information Priority No. 3: Institutional strengthening of the tripartite partners Reports of organizational reviews completed for each of the tripartite organizations (Labour Ministry; Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize) Five-year Strategic and Action Plans developed and adopted by NTUCB based on

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recommendations of the organizational review; and implementation initiated A total of 201 tripartite constituents have been trained by the ILO in areas identified as priorities by government and the social partners (e.g. macroeconomics and the economies of the Caribbean; occupational safety and health and the environment (OSHE); labour administration; labour inspection; management and delivery of public employment services; international trade negotiations and free trade agreements; and decent work as a development goal) (see detailed information in Table 5) Annual budget proposals of the Labour Ministry for 2011 include funding for DWCP activities; New post (Membership Programme Officer) created in BCCI in line with recommendations of the organizational review; other recommendations under consideration for progressive implementation Education Committee reactivated by NTUCB; Education Director seconded to the Office of the Union (effective 1 September 2011); education and training as well as measures for enhanced research and analytical capacity provided for, in line with recommendations of the Strategic and Action Plans Twenty-four (24) tripartite constituents and other stakeholders trained in the design of a Communication Strategy to support implementation of the DWCP (July 2010); A Communication Strategy and Plan developed and adopted Tripartite Decent Work Country Programme Committee established to monitor and report on implementation of the DWCP and to explore financing opportunities for Programme

Table 2 sets out the revised priority that relates to TVET and links it to the functions of the Public Employment Service (PES). The new activities and outputs that were agreed by the tripartite constituents and other stakeholders are outlined therein.

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Table 2: Priority No.2 (Revised) Priority No.2: Strengthening the public employment service and enhancing its linkages with national initiatives for skills development, with a special focus on disadvantaged groups (Revised July 2011)

Outcome: Jobseekers, including disadvantaged groups, have access to improved public employment service and training opportunities; an entrepreneurial culture is inculcated; and employers are better informed of available skills

Activities

Outputs

Status

Conduct training for officers in the Public Employment Service (PES) to perform their duties in line with the provisions of ILO Employment Service Convention No. 88 (1948)

Nine (9) officers of the Public Employment Service (PES) trained to provide improved services to jobseekers, workers and employers; to liaise effectively with training institutions as regards referrals; and to raise public awareness about the PES

Completed (October 2011)

Create linkages for functional cooperation among key stakeholders

Linkages created and formal arrangements established

Ongoing

Raise awareness of the social partners and the general public about the role and functions of the PES

Social partners and general public sensitized about the role and functions of the PES

To be initiated

Undertake an inventory of TVET providers and develop framework for their registration

Inventory of TVET providers undertaken and framework for registration developed

To be initiated

Utilize information resulting from the inventory, information on registered training providers, and labour market information by the public employment service in service delivery

Services delivered by public employment service based on information received

To be initiated

Employers' and workers’ organizations provide notification of and information on vacancies and forthcoming employment-intensive projects Government entities provide notification of and information on forthcoming public sector employment-intensive projects

Notification of and information on vacancies provided by employers’ and workers’ organizations Notification of and information on forthcoming employment-intensive public sector projects provided by Government

To be initiated To be initiated

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The priority dealing with TVET has been reformulated in a bid to align the institutional capacities and mandates of the two main Government Ministries concerned, together with the competence of the social partners, on those TVET-related outcomes to which they can make the most significant inputs (see Table 2: Priority No. 2). They will build on work that has been done to date under the Programme and contribute to broader national efforts in this area. The decision to refocus the work under this priority is consistent with the commitment made by the Labour Minister in his 2010 Labour Day message. He said: “Belize’s Decent Work Country Programme, signed by the social partners exactly one year ago, in May 2009, will be pursued with all determination until its second priority, that is, the Improvement of Skills and Employability of Women and Youth, is accomplished to an acceptable level.”2 The review of the Programme constituted a useful stock-taking exercise, in the course of which the tripartite constituents noted that the programme implementation process had strengthened the frequency of information sharing and consultation among the social partners. The tripartite constituents and the national stakeholders with whom they have chosen to work, noted that they used the results matrix, with its relatively detailed plan of activities, to guide their actions. In general, the work under the DWCP requires tripartite cooperation and decision. Consequently, the tripartite constituents decided to formalize arrangements whereby they would set up a Committee to monitor and report on DWCP implementation. The Committee would also be responsible for exploring funding opportunities in support of activities under the DWCP. The review found that collaboration with other Government entities had intensified thereby laying a basis for greater policy coherence and consensus on the application of the Decent Work Agenda in national development plans and strategies. In the following sections, there is an overview of the outputs achieved between the launch of the programme in May 2009 and October 2011, the work that is in progress and the tasks that lie ahead. The tripartite constituents agreed to reaffirm their commitment to DWCP implementation for the two biennia (2012-13; 2014-15) up to 2015.

2 The Honourable Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, Belize, Labour Day Speech, May 2010, http://www.belize.gov.bz/ct.asp?xItem=2108&ctNode=633&mp=27

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PART A: Review of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Belize

Priority No. 1: Modernization and Harmonization of National Labour Legislation

1. The first priority of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) of Belize aims to achieve the following outcomes:

(i) to have a modern national labour legislation founded on international

labour standards, that is in line with CARICOM Model Labour Law and easily accessible to the public; and

(ii) tripartite constituents and the general public are aware of their rights and obligations under the national laws with a view to preventing industrial disputes and are aware of institutions, processes and procedures for dispute resolution.

2. The main tangible output from the exercises to be undertaken under Activity 1.1

will be a single Trade Union and Employers' Organization Act. This will require a review and amalgamation of Chapter 300 (Trade Unions Act) and Chapter 304 (Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations (Registration, Recognition and Status) Act). There are to be additional amendments to enhance compliance with various ratified international labour Conventions that relate to the application of the new Act (see Table 3).

Table 3: Select ILO Conventions of direct relevance to the subjects of the national labour legislation under review

3. The Tripartite Body, constituted under Chapter 304, with the assistance of a legal consultant completed a comparative analysis of select ILO Conventions and Chapters 300 and 304. Proposed changes to amalgamate Chapters 300 and 304 and to bring the resultant amalgamated Act in line with international labour Conventions were presented to the Tripartite Body for consideration.

Convention Date ratified

C11 Right of Association (Agriculture) Convention, 1921 15:12:1983

C87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 15:12:1983

C98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 15:12:1983

C135 Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971 22:06:1999

C141 Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 22:06:1999

C154 Collective Bargaining Convention, 1981 22:06:1999

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4. The proposals were then taken to the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) (constituted

under Chapter 297) for its input. One of the Labour Advisory Board’s Terms of Reference is the revision and amendment of labour and trade union legislation in line with CARICOM Model Laws and ratified ILO Conventions.

5. The initial proposal under the DWCP was that an ILO consultant would prepare

the first draft of the proposed legislation, based on the recommendations of the Tripartite Body. However, the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development (MLLGRD) (hereafter referred to as the Labour Ministry) took the initiative of retaining a legal consultant to prepare the draft legislation using inputs from the Labour Advisory Board and the Tripartite Body. A series of follow-up activities will take place after the adoption of the Act (see DWCP Results Matrix).

6. Under Activity 1.2 (Review (partial) of Chapter 297)), the main output was

delivered – namely the promulgation into law of Labour (Amendment) Act, No. 3 of 2011.

7. The tripartite constituents actively participated in the internal review of the draft Labour Act and identified the following objectives for the amendment of Chapter 297:

(i) to confer upon employees the right to continuity of employment and

protection against unfair dismissal; (ii) to establish procedures for employees and employers to follow to

terminate an employment relationship in a fair and equitable manner; (iii) to establish a Labour Complaints Tribunal to hear and determine

complaints from workers; and, (iv) to provide for greater benefits to workers, including better provisions in

respect of severance pay, among other provisions.

8. The review was undertaken by the Attorney General's Ministry in conjunction with the Labour Ministry. The draft was then sent to the ILO for technical review. The ILO’s technical comments underwent further national tripartite review. That was followed by a national consultation that took into account the views of all stakeholders. The Attorney General's Ministry did a final review of the draft bill, incorporating the proposed changes and re-submitted the draft to the Labour Ministry for onward submission to the Cabinet for approval and then to the National Assembly for final approval and passage into law.

9. Act No. 3 of 2011, the Labour (Amendment) Act, came into force on May 1st, 2011 (Labour Day).

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10. The Labour Ministry will organize a national public information campaign to raise awareness of the changes to the Labour Laws of Belize, to discuss their provisions and their requirements for implementation.

11. The main output from Activity 1.3 will be a single Labour and Industrial

Relations Act. This will require further revision of the Labour Act Chapter 297 and the partial revision of Chapters 287 (Shops Act); 298 (Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act); 299 (Trade Disputes (Arbitration and Inquiry) Act)); Chapter 302 (Wages Council Act); and the Equal Pay Act.

12. As previously stated, the Labour Advisory Board is responsible for the revision and

amendment of all labour legislation in line with CARICOM Model Laws and relevant ratified international labour Conventions. The Labour Ministry benefited from the services of three Challenges Worldwide (CWW) Volunteers between 2009 and 2011. A legal expert was contracted to draft a text reflecting the recommendations and proposals of the tripartite partners. The matters to be reviewed by the Labour Advisory Board were grouped into specific topics and the tripartite constituents identified the international labour instruments that they considered to be of relevance to the subjects in the national context. As of 10 November 2011 Belize had ratified 44 international labour Conventions. Of these, 25 were identified by the tripartite constituents as being relevant to the subjects to be covered by the single Labour and Industrial Relations Act. The subjects are: child labour, gender equality (with specific focus on the situation of women), social protection, and labour administration. The relevant Conventions are listed in Table 4.

13. The review of those pieces of legislation that would make up the consolidated Labour and Industrial Relations Act has drawn on the principles of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The review also proposed minor revisions to the Workmen’s Compensation Act, Social Security Act, Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Immigration Act, and the Bankruptcy Act. The resultant draft texts are under consideration by the Labour Advisory Board. They will be subject to widespread consultations before submission to the ILO for technical review.

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Table 4: Ratified ILO Conventions identified by tripartite constituents as relevant for the labour legislation review

Convention Date ratified

C12 Workmen's Compensation (Agriculture) Convention, 1921 15:12:1983

C14 Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 22:06:1999

C19 Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention, 1925 15:12:1983

C26 Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 15:12:1983

C29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930 15:12:1983

C58 Minimum Age (Sea) Convention (Revised), 1936 15:12:1983

C81 Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 15:12:1983

C88 Employment Service Convention, 1948 15:12:1983

C89 Night Work (Women) Convention (Revised), 1948 15:12:1983

C94 Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 15:12:1983

C95 Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 15:12:1983

C97 Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 15:12:1983

C99 Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 15:12:1983

C100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 22:06:1999

C101 Holidays with Pay (Agriculture) Convention, 1952 15:12:1983

C105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 15:12:1983

C111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 22:06:1999

C138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973 06:03:2000

C140 Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 22:06:1999

C144 Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 06:03:2000

C150 Labour Administration Convention, 1978 06:03:2000

C151 Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978 22:06:1999

C156 Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 22:06:1999

C182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 06:03:2000

C183 Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 09:11:2005

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14. The main outputs from the exercises to be undertaken under Activity 1.4 (Review existing draft OSH bill) are an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act and its Regulations. The National Occupational Safety and Health Committee (NOSHC) retained the services of a legal expert through the CARICOM Secretariat to prepare the draft OSH Bill. The Bill, which is modelled on the Trinidad and Tobago legislation, draws on all pertinent ILO Conventions and the CARICOM OSH Model Legislation. The draft Bill was reviewed and endorsed by the NOSHC, which comprises the tripartite constituents and a broad cross-section of industry and public sector stakeholders. The Bill was submitted to Cabinet on January 18th 2011 but in the absence of a decision at that time, the tripartite constituents asked for an ILO technical review of the draft. Further amendments will be made to the draft Bill and will be re-submitted to the Attorney General’s Ministry for vetting.

15. In keeping with the DWCP, after the Bill is passed, the tripartite constituents, with support from the ILO and other development partners, will embark on education campaigns for employers, workers and the general public. The Bill provides for the setting up of a National Occupational Safety and Health Authority (NOSHA). The first task of the Authority will be to draw up Regulations to reinforce the new OSH Act. The ILO will provide technical support for the drafting of those Regulations.

16. To date, Belize has taken concrete steps towards achieving the first priority of ensuring that it has a set of modern labour legislation that is based on international labour standards and CARICOM Model Labour Laws. The process of drawing up and adopting revised labour legislation will help to make the tripartite constituents knowledgeable about the aims and provisions of the labour laws as well as the institutions and procedures for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes. A country-wide information dissemination campaign will be undertaken to make the new laws available to the public and to raise awareness of the rights and obligations under those laws.

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Original Priority No. 2: Improvement of Skills and Employability Revised Priority No 2: Strengthening the public employment service and enhancing its linkages with national initiatives for skills development, with a special focus on disadvantaged groups (Revised July 2011) 17. The original second Priority of the DWCP focused on the improvement of skills for

employability, particularly among youth and women. It provided for facilitating access to resources and support services, improving the system of education and training, and encouraging lifelong learning with the collaboration of all the labour market actors. It was foreseen that a Labour Market Information System would be created for the Labour Ministry to promote information sharing among all the stakeholders and facilitate the matching of skills to jobs.

18. The activities and outputs under the Second Priority, as originally formulated, cut across the mandates of various Government Ministries and institutions. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education did participate in the programming workshop for the design of the DWCP, but the responsibility for leading the implementation of work under this Priority fell upon the Labour Ministry which lacked the mandate, technical and financial resources, and the capacity to mobilize and coordinate the various stakeholders that were to contribute to the initiatives.

19. As the Honourable Minister of Labour indicated in his 2010 Labour Day Speech, the realization of the TVET Priority under the DWCP is of paramount importance. This is borne out by the Medium-Term Development Strategy (2010-2013) which recognized that TVET programmes were under-subscribed and that there was need to enhance their quality and relevance for the labour market. Consequently, a decision was taken by constituents to concentrate on specific areas in which the Labour and Education Ministries could work together within their respective mandates, in order to improve the quality of training institutions, to link their services to those of the Public Employment Service and to match skills with opportunities for obtaining decent work.

20. Advisory services have already been provided by ILO to the Education Ministry to identify areas in which the capacity of personnel in TVET institutions could be strengthened, so that the content of training curricula and the quality of service delivery could be upgraded. The objectives are to make the services of these institutions more responsive to the demands of the domestic labour market and to equip them to give effect to the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) system. The CVQs are designed to facilitate the movement of skilled labour within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), of which Belize is a part.

21. In the division of responsibilities, the Education Ministry has the lead for initiatives relating to the strengthening of TVET institutions; while the Labour Ministry will

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concentrate on reinforcing the Public Employment Service (PES) and the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) which has components that are supportive of the Public Employment Service as well as training policies. The aim is to have better linkages between training, certification and the matching of skills with job opportunities, especially for jobseekers, deemed to have particular disadvantages. They tend to comprise most of the clientele of the Public Employment Service and experience difficulties to be placed in suitable employment (e.g. unskilled persons, young persons including school drop outs and the long-term unemployed).

22. Under the DWCP, the ILO will support the two Ministries, the social partners and other stakeholders invited by them to strengthen TVET, the Public Employment Service and the LMIS. Immediately following the redefining of the Second Priority in July 2011, 26 instructors and managers of TVET institutions and an official from the Labour Ministry were trained by the ILO in curriculum review and development, competency-based education and assessment, and quality assurance in the management of technical and vocational education. The beneficiaries now have enhanced knowledge and skills in several areas that include the following: (i) curriculum review and development (including planning, collecting and

analyzing school-related and community-related data of relevance to the labour market);

(ii) techniques for involving stakeholders and building partnerships between schools, other training institutions, and the business community;

(iii) determining curriculum content; (iv) use of occupational standards; (v) assessing and implementing the curriculum; (vi) quality assurance and management systems in TVET; (vii) conducting competency-based assessment; (viii) accreditation; and (ix) planning for staff professional development.

23. Entrepreneurship education is to be integrated as a core subject in the curriculum,

thereby empowering young persons to consider self employment. All training providers are to be registered by the Ministry of Education in order to coordinate skills training and assure common standards. Under the DWCP, the ILO will continue to give technical support in this area. Since the Public Employment Service needs to have stronger links with TVET institutions, in October 2011 officials of the Labour Ministry underwent training and re-training in labour administration that included a module on the management and delivery of public employment services.

24. The development of a robust labour market information system is an important aspect of the work to be done under the Second Priority of the DWCP. The main outputs under Activity 2.4 are: (i) the establishment of a task force and the

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undertaking of a review of data collection systems by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) along with the Labour Ministry and other tripartite partners; and (ii) the development of an updated data collection instrument within the SIB.

25. The Labour Ministry has contracted a consultant to lead the development of a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) with the objective of providing appropriate and reliable information for public policy formulation and analysis, with specific reference to the world of work. The process entails capacity building for the tripartite constituents and other stakeholders to contribute to the collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the labour market.

26. A multi-stakeholder Task Force has been established. It comprises representatives of the Ministries of Education; Economic Development; Labour, Local Government and Rural Development; and, Finance. The Belize Social Security Board; the Statistical Institute of Belize; the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the National Trade Union Congress of Belize; and other stakeholders are also represented.

27. Since the creation of the LMI Task Force in December 2010, several consultations have been held. The gaps with respect to data collection have been identified and solutions recommended. Work is ongoing and the Task Force will remain active throughout the implementation stages and after the establishment of the LMIS.

Box 1: Labour Market Information System (LMIS) Task Force

The functions of the LMIS Task Force are as follows:

• evaluation of existing data and available indicators obtained from relevant sources (e.g. the Statistical Institute of Belize, Social Security Board, National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and various research organizations), with a view to gaining insight into changes in the labour market and the characteristics of the labour force;

• development, preparation and implementation of measures to produce LMI inputs, provide LMI outputs on a regular basis, and promote their use by policymakers and decision makers in government, and among employers and workers;

• development of the following instruments (based on international recommendations and standards): Dictionary of Occupations; Standard Industrial Classification; and Standard Classification of Education and Training.

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Priority No. 3: Institutional Strengthening of the Tripartite Partners

28. The third priority of the DWCP is designed to achieve the following outcomes: (i) the tripartite partners would have equal representation on and ownership

of all bodies and institutions established under the Labour Ministry; (ii) the respective partners would have built capacity, organizational structures

and processes for more efficient and effective participation in social dialogue;

(ii) the tripartite partners would have an improved and effective means of information gathering and dissemination through the use of appropriate technology;

(iv) each partner would have established networks and alliances to ensure access to identified expertise and resources; and,

(iii) the tripartite partners would have identified and obtained new sources of funding to support the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme.

29. Under Activity 3.1 there is to be a tripartite review of multi-sectoral boards,

committees and councils falling under the Labour Ministry. The main outputs will be a working document compiling the terms of reference and mandates of the identified institutions; and, a report on the findings and recommendations of the review.

30. In March 2011 there was an ILO review of the Labour Ministry under which the Labour Advisory Board and the Tripartite Body operate. In line with some of the key recommendations, an official has been assigned to service the Labour Advisory Board and other tripartite bodies, and a comprehensive review of the payment of allowances (sitting fees) is under consideration. There will be, as recommended, targeted training activities for members on their roles and functions in these bodies.

31. Select key recommendations have been discussed with the social partners so that

their views may be taken into account before a decision is taken with regard to implementation. One such recommendation concerned the merging of the Tripartite Body and the Labour Advisory Board and the transfer of the mandate and resources of the former to the latter. The tripartite constituents decided that since these bodies had distinct mandates, roles and responsibilities, they would remain as separate entities. The review of the Labour Ministry of Belize contained recommendations that are being addressed. Some of them are being implemented under the legislative review being undertaken by the Labour Advisory Board; and others are still to be given consideration. One of the recommendations is that the

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Labour Ministry should produce an Annual Report that would help to raise awareness of the work and impact of the Ministry.

32. Just as there was, with ILO’s support, an organizational review of the Labour Ministry, so too, Activity 3.2 provided for similar reviews of the employers’ organization, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, the workers’ organization. The outputs of these reviews are expected to lead to improved organizational structures and services.

33. The organizational review of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize took into account the work that the Congress had already carried out on a revision of its Constitution. The immediate output of the ILO review has been a draft five-year strategic plan and action plan on which implementation has been initiated.

34. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also undergone an organizational review with ILO support. The recommendations, which touch on the structure and operations of the Chamber, are being used to guide the changes that are being introduced.

35. As a follow up to the reviews an inter-institutional consultation will be convened to identify opportunities for linkages and collaboration in select areas. In line with the outcome of the DWCP, the long-term aim is to “have built capacity, organizational structures and processes for more efficient and effective participation in social dialogue.”

36. Activity 3.2 also concerns training for key personnel in the concepts and

practices of social dialogue and tripartism in each of the partner organizations. The main output is to be a cadre of trained persons with enhanced knowledge of the Decent Work Agenda, and the capacity to engage more meaningfully in social dialogue. In this regard, there have been training and awareness-raising initiatives at the national and sub-regional levels from which senior officials of the Labour Ministry, as well as the leadership and executive members of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), have benefited. The following sub-regional major meetings and training workshops are illustrative: (i) Tripartite Caribbean Conference on “Promoting human prosperity beyond

the global financial crisis: Seeking sustainable solutions through social dialogue” (Jamaica, April 2009)

(ii) ILO-Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) of the CARICOM Secretariat

Training Workshop on International Trade Negotiations, Free Trade Agreements and the Decent Work Agenda (The Bahamas, February 2010)

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(iii) Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)-ILO Caribbean Tripartite Symposium on “Addressing the effects of the global economic crisis on labour markets in the Caribbean and preparing for sustainable and decent employment: the role of the Global Jobs Pact” (Barbados, January 2011)

(iv) Tripartite Caribbean Symposium on ‘Tripartism and social dialogue:

Comparative experiences in dealing with economic and social development issues” (Barbados, May 2011)

37. Locally, 27 tripartite constituents received training in economics at an ILO

workshop on “Understanding Key Concepts in Economics and Finance: A Course for Trade Unionists and Employers in the Caribbean” (February 2011). The course covered macroeconomics, the economies of the Caribbean, economic policy, labour market analysis and the economics of wage negotiations. In addition, as part of efforts to strengthen the Labour Ministry under the third Priority of the DWCP, officials have been trained and retrained in labour administration, labour inspection and the management and delivery of public employment services (October 2011) (Table 5 provides details on national training workshops).

38. Occupational Safety and Health and the Environment is another area in which the capacities of the tripartite constituents have been reinforced. In August 2011 a three-day Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health was organized by the NTUCB in collaboration with the ILO. The main beneficiaries were trade unionists; however three representatives of Government participated in the workshop, and representatives of the Government and the employers’ organization served as resource persons. Participants now have a better grasp of the significance of OSH and modern OSH legislation for national development and for achieving Decent Work in Belize. Emphasis was placed on the importance of scaling-up the workplace response to HIV and AIDS and the role of the tripartite constituents in this process.

39. The ILO’s OSHE Programme has led to renewed interest by the tripartite constituents in updating OSH legislation and strengthening the capacity of Government and the social partners to improve safety and health at work. It is worth noting that OSH Regulations will be drawn up with ILO’s technical support to complement the OSH Act after it is enacted.

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Table 5: Outputs of Belize’s Participation in ILO Subregional and National Training Workshops (2009-2011) (Government, Employers & Workers)

Sub-regional Training Workshops

* In certain activities government officials were drawn from the Labour Ministry and also other Ministries and Institutions

Name of Seminar Venue & Date Persons trained (by group)

TOTAL Government* Employers Workers

The Caribbean Academy for the Management of Employers’ Organizations (CAMEO) Sub-regional Capacity-building Programme for National Employers’ Organizations of the Caribbean

Jamaica, 29 June-3 July 2009

0 1 0 1

ILO ACTRAV-IPEC Regional Workshop for Caribbean workers’ Organizations

Barbados, 17-19 August 2009

0 0 2 2

ILO Workshop on Results-based Project Proposal Writing

Saint Lucia, 28-29 April 2009

0 1 0 1

ILO Hemispheric Conference on Rapid and Widespread Ratification and Effective Implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (Regional Activity)

Barbados, 7-10 September 2009

2 0 0 2

ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, Training of Inspectors from the English-and Dutch-Speaking Caribbean

Jamaica, 10-12 November 2009

3 3

The Caribbean Academy for the Management of Employers’ Organizations (CAMEO III) Sub-regional Capacity-building Programme for National Employers’ Organizations of the Caribbean

Barbados, 27 June – 1 July 2011

0 1 0 1

TOTAL

5

3

2

10

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National Training Workshops

* In certain activities government officials were drawn from the Labour Ministry and also other Ministries and Institutions

40. While implementation of some of the initiatives under Priority Three of the DWCP

has commenced, others are ear-marked for implementation in the medium term. For example, under Activity 3.3 it is expected that an education capacity and a research function would be established in each of the social partner’s organization; and, that analytical capability would be developed. To this end, as part of its institutional strengthening, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has reactivated the Education Committee and an Education Director was seconded to the Office of the Union Office effective 1 September 2011. Education and training have been incorporated into their strategic and action plans, which also provide for building skills in the areas of social and economic research and policy analysis, information and communication capabilities and knowledge sharing.

41. Although knowledge sharing already takes place among the tripartite partners, the

aim is to enhance these ongoing initiatives by designing a public information strategy and campaign to raise awareness about the Decent Work Agenda, and the roles of the Labour Ministry and the social partners in national development.

Name of Seminar Date Persons trained (by group)

TOTAL Government* Employers Workers

Occupational Safety and Health Workshop, BCCI

29 April 2011 2 43 0 45

Communications Strategy Workshop 1-2 July, 2010 16 4 4 24

Occupational Safety and Health Workshop, NTUCB

12-13 August, 2011 3 0 33 36

Strategic Planning Exercise of the NTUCB

4-5 May 2011 0 0 11 11

Understanding Key Concepts in Economics and Finance: A Course for Trade Unionists and Employers in the Caribbean

15-17 February 2011 5 4 18 27

ILO Training Workshop on Quality Assurance in Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Management, Curriculum Development and Competency-Based Education and Training

1-5 August, 2011 25 0 0 25

ILO Training Workshop on Labour Administration, Inspection and Public Employment Service

24-28 October, 2011 23 0 0 23

TOTAL

74

51

66

191

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As a step in this direction, a Communication Strategy Workshop, facilitated by ILO and an international media consultant was held in Belize in July 2010. The tripartite constituents and officials of the Government Information Service drew up and adopted a ‘Communications Strategy and Plan’. The objectives of this Strategy and Plan include the raising of public awareness of the DWCP, and promoting tripartite cooperation and social dialogue for its implementation. The next stage will entail developing joint communication platforms with the aim of stimulating dialogue and support for the integration of “decent work for all” in national social and economic policies, and securing financial and technical support for programme implementation.

42. The output of Activity 3.4 will be an updated contact list of resource persons and organizations with indications of their areas of expertise; and, a fact sheet on organizational resources and expertise. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is in the process of updating their database of former trade unionists to serve as resource persons and trainers; as well as to identify institutions of higher learning to deliver trade union related training . The aim is to establish formal networks and alliances to access expertise and resources, since this initiative has cost implications that could affect the realization of the stated objectives if the requisite financing is not secured.

43. Under Activity 3.5 the output will be funding to support DWCP initiatives. It is noteworthy that the Labour Ministry included DWCP activities in its annual budgetary exercises and they have been approved. Technical support has been forthcoming from the ILO. The work on TVET has benefited in part from funding provided to the Education Ministry by the Caribbean Development Bank. The employers’ and workers’ organizations are actively seeking funding to supplement their own resources and the technical support from ILO.

Concluding remarks

44. Between the signing of the DWCP in May 2009 and the review of its implementation in 2011 there was noticeable progress on several fronts, despite a number of constraints. The tripartite constituents faced persistent shortages of financial and human resources, the challenges of attempting to work in certain areas that spanned different institutional mandates, and the need to divert attention and resources to competing demands arising from the effects of the global financial crisis. None the less, there were significant outputs and action, including in complex, politically sensitive areas such as legislative and organizational reforms, where processes tend to be protracted.

45. Activities undertaken in the framework of the DWCP have been guided by domestic developments and policy decisions as well as major international

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commitments relating to the ‘world of work’ that had been made since the signing of the DWCP. They included: the Global Jobs Pact (Geneva, 2009); the Conclusions of the 17th American Regional Meeting (Santiago de Chile, December 2010); the Conclusions of the 19th Meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) held in collaboration with the ILO’s 7th Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers (Guyana, 2010); the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and ILO Tripartite Caribbean Symposium on Addressing the Effects of the Global Economic Crisis on Labour Markets in the Caribbean (Barbados 2011); and the Tripartite Caribbean Symposium on Tripartism and Social Dialogue (Barbados, 2011).

46. The review led to a refocusing of the DWCP priority dealing with technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The other priorities have been retained without change, with additional activities and outputs aimed at enhancing implementation and impact. The following are the priorities on which constituents and stakeholders will focus their efforts over the next four years:

Box 2: Priorities of the Revised DWCP for Belize

Priority No.1: Modernization and Harmonization of National Labour Legislation

Priority No. 2: Strengthening the public employment service and

enhancing its linkages with national initiatives for skills development, with a special focus on disadvantaged groups

Priority No. 3: Institutional Strengthening of the Tripartite Partners

47. Formal institutional arrangements were proposed for improved monitoring, reporting and resource mobilization; and a time-frame for continuing the programme was specified – i.e. 2012-2015. It coincides with that of the ILO’s medium-term planning instrument (known as the Strategic Policy Framework 2010-15) and the 2015 target date for achieving the MDGs.

48. The tripartite constituents and other stakeholders agreed to continue using the results matrices to guide their work planning. They will maintain the practice of drawing up strategies both individually and collectively, when the time comes to pursue a particular objective. In this way they will be better placed to take into account and adapt to prevailing conditions in the national context, in their respective institutions and in the external environment – all of which can change over the years.

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49. The constituents noted that the DWCP was helping to strengthen tripartite

consultation and cooperation on matters of common interest. It was also fostering inter-institutional collaboration as evidenced by initiatives in the areas of occupational safety and health and TVET. The Programme will be increasingly used to heighten public awareness, position “world of work” issues and the Decent Work Agenda in the national development agenda, and to design proposals for technical support and funding under South-South cooperation arrangements and from traditional donors.

50. The fact that Belize’s Mid-Term Strategic Plan 2010-2013 cites decent work as an important component for “securing human rights and human development”, shows that the goal of realizing Decent Work has been integrated into the national development discourse and agenda. It is worth mentioning that the Decent Work Country Programme will contribute to five of the six Outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Belize for the period 2013-2016. These contributions will relate to those outcomes with a bearing on the world of work.3

3 Outcome 1: A culture of human rights with equity, equality and non-discrimination is institutionalized at all levels; Outcome 2 : Institutional and human capacities in facilitating the goal of universal access to responsive, safe, and quality health services across the life cycle are strengthened; Outcome 3: Boys and girls regardless of social status, ethnic group, cultural or religious affiliation, and place of residence (urban/rural) have expanded access and increased opportunity to complete a basic, quality education up to at least secondary level; Outcome 4: Enhanced institutional and line Ministries' capacity in implementing Belize's national citizen and violence prevention response plans; and Outcome 6: Public policies and development processes are mainstreamed with cross cutting environmental, Disaster risk reduction and climate change dimensions.

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PART B: The Decent Work Country Programme Outcomes

51. The following section contains the results matrices that have guided and will continue to guide measures for implementing the DWCP in Belize. The activities, outputs and outcomes were defined by the tripartite constituents, in line with the Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Action for realizing the Decent Work Agenda in the Caribbean (2006). It states that “Each country … in accordance with its national circumstances and priorities will define attainable decent work goals and shape its own agenda ….”

52. In the light of the 2011 review, the matrices show the outputs delivered between 2009 and 2011, the status of specific initiatives and the work items to be undertaken between 2012 and 2015.

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Annex 1: DWCP Results Matrix (Revised)

(Including revisions made on 7 and 8 July 2011)

Table No. 6: Outcomes, outputs/deliverables

Priority No. 1: Modernization and Harmonization of National Labour Legislation

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

(detailed steps)

Status of

activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Tripartite Body (under CAP 304)

Review of CAPS. 300 and 304 Completed Revised legislation under CAPs. 300 (Trade Unions’ Act) and 304 (Trade Unions’ and Employers’ Organizations (Registration, Recognition and Status) Act))

Belize will have a modern national labour legislation founded on International Labour Standards that is in line with CARICOM Model Labour Law and is easily accessible to the public

Tripartite constituents and the general public are aware of their rights and obligations under the national laws for preventing industrial disputes and of institutions, processes and procedure for dispute resolution.

Government of Belize (GOB), Employers’ Organization (EO), and Trade Unions (TUs)

Internal review of proposed amendments

Labour Advisory Board Consultant

Prepare text of the draft legislation to be amended

Prepare first draft of proposed legislation

ILO Experts Technical review of draft legislation In progress Tripartite Body

Hold internal consultations on the results of ILO Technical review

Labour Ministry

Convene public consultations on proposed legislation

Labour Ministry

Submit draft bill to Attorney General’s Ministry for legal vetting and production of proposed legislation

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Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

(detailed steps)

Status of

activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Labour Ministry Submit draft bill to Cabinet for approval

Labour Ministry Submit draft bill to the National Assembly and the repeal of existing legislation (where applicable)

Labour Ministry in collaboration with social partners and with support from ILO experts

After the new legislation is passed, mobilize resources to finance public education through, infomercials and other promotional material (booklets, talk show, website and CD) and educational seminars for workers, employers and the general public

Consultant Review of Labour Act (CAP 297) In progress

Amended Labour Act CAP. 297

Labour Advisory Board Internal review of the Labour Act by all stakeholders

Consultant Prepare text of draft legislation

ILO Experts Technical review of draft legislation Labour Ministry

Convene public consultations on proposed legislation (NB: Feeds into the consolidated process)

29

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

(detailed steps)

Status of

activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Consultant

Review select part of CAPS. 287, fully 297, 298, 299, 302, and Equal Pay Act (with a view to their consolidation into one piece of legislation)

In progress A Labour and Industrial Relations Act

Labour Advisory Board (LAB)

Internal review of proposed amendments

Consultant

Prepare first draft of proposed legislation

In progress

ILO Experts

Technical review of draft legislation

LAB

Hold internal consultations on the results of ILO Technical review

Labour Ministry

Convene public consultations on proposed legislation

Labour Ministry Submit draft bill to Attorney General’s Ministry for legal vetting and production of proposed legislation

Labour Ministry

Submit draft bill to Cabinet for approval

Labour Ministry

Submit draft bill to the National Assembly and the repeal of existing legislation (where applicable)

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Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

(detailed steps)

Status of

activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Labour Ministry in collaboration with social partners and with support from ILO experts

After the bill is passed, mobilize resources to finance the public education through, infomercials and other promotional material (booklets, talk show, website and CD) and Labour education seminars

National Occupational Safety and Health Committee (NOSHC)

Draft OSH bill Completed

An Occupational Safety and Health Act and its Regulations

All stakeholders Consultant NOSHC ILO Experts

Prepare Text of Draft Legislation Internal review of the draft OSH bill Technical review of draft legislation

NOSHC

Hold multi-sectoral consultations on draft text

Labour Ministry Submit draft bill to Attorney General’s Ministry for legal vetting and production of proposed legislation

Labour Ministry

Submit draft bill to Cabinet for approval

In progress

Labour Ministry Submit Draft Bill to the National

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Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

(detailed steps)

Status of

activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Assembly; repeal of existing legislation (where applicable)

Labour Ministry in collaboration with social partners and with support from ILO experts

After the legislation is passed, mobilize resources to finance the public education through, infomercials and other promotional material (booklets, talk show, website, CD). Hold labour education seminars.

Priority No. 2: Strengthening the public employment service and enhancing its linkages with national initiatives for skills development, with a special focus on disadvantaged groups

Inputs and responsibilities

Activities Status of activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Staff of Labour Ministry Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) Ministry of Education Statistical Institute of Belize Civil Society/NGOs ILO and UN Agencies Public Employment Service and Private Employment Agencies

Training for employment officers, councillors and job placement officers at ITVETS, NTUCB, BCCI, and other multi-partite partners to provide guidance and counselling to jobseekers

Initial phase completed. Work with employment officers, ITVET councillors and job placement officers and tripartite partners to be undertaken

Employment officers trained

Jobseekers, including disadvantaged groups, have increased access to effective public employment services and training; entrepreneurial culture is inculcated; and employers are better informed of available skills

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Inputs and responsibilities

Activities Status of activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Create linkages for functional cooperation among key stakeholders (e.g. relevant Ministries; Youth Business Trust; Social Investment Fund)

In progress Linkages created and formal arrangements established

Raise awareness and sensitize social partners and the general public about the role and functions of the public employment service

To be initiated

Social partners and general partners sensitized about the role and functions of the public employment service

Undertake an inventory of TVET providers and develop a framework for their registration

To be initiated

Inventory of TVET providers undertaken and framework for registration developed

Results of the inventory, information on registered providers, and labour market information are used by the public employment service in service delivery

To be initiated

Services delivered by public employment service based on information received

Employers’ and workers’ organizations provide the public employment service with notification and information on vacancies and forthcoming employment-intensive projects

To be initiated

Notification and information on vacancies provided by employers’ and workers’ organizations

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Inputs and responsibilities

Activities Status of activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) Staff of Labour Ministry Tripartite partners ILO Experts and Labour Market Information Equipment

Establish tripartite task force for to determine existing gaps and make recommendations for improved data collection

Completed Tripartite task force established and data collection deficits reviewed

The Ministry of Labour will have a labour market information system (LMIS)

Updated data collection instrument produced within SIB

Data collection staff Training for staff of Labour Ministry and Statistical Institute Key stakeholders Existing LMI data Press Office Funding Inputs from stakeholders

Ensure that information is disseminated to the stakeholders who should utilize the information

To be initiated

LMI report produced and circulated

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Priority No. 3: Institutional Strengthening of the Tripartite Partners

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

Status

Outputs

Outcomes

TORs and Mandates Legislation Staff

Initiate and carry out a tripartite review of the TORs and mandates of multi-sectoral boards, committees and councils falling under the Ministry of Labour

Completed Working document compiling the terms of reference and mandates of identified institutions

The tripartite partners will have equal representation and ownership of all bodies and institutions established under the Ministry of Labour Reproduction and

distribution of report Staff

Present report to each of the partner organizations for feedback and endorsement

Completed Report of findings and recommendations

Feedback and endorsement of the report by partner organizations

Technical advice and support for the review of the roles, structure and effectiveness of: (i) Labour Complaints Tribunal (Act

No.3 of 2011); (ii) Essential Services Tribunal (Act

298 of 2000); Non-essential Services Tribunal (Act 299 of 2000); and Wage Councils (Act No. 302 of 2000-2003)

In progress

Staff time Administrative clearance

Oversee and monitor the implementation of the recommendations

In progress Re-composition and reconstitution of relevant boards, committees and councils

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Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

Status

Outputs

Outcomes

Facilitator Facilities Coordinator Participants Materials

Convene training activities for key personnel in concepts and practices of social dialogue and tripartism in each of the partner organizations

To be initiated

XX persons trained in social dialogue and tripartism in each organization.

The respective partners will have built capacity, organizational structures and processes for a more efficient and effective participation in social dialogue

Operational/procedural manuals Constitutions

Carry out a review of the organizational structures and internal processes of each partner organization

Completed Revised and or new organizational structures and process for each organization

Revised/updated organigrams of each organization

Convene a meeting to identify opportunities for linkages and interaction across partner organizations

To be initiated

Directory of areas of responsibility and personnel assigned

Tripartite Partners Develop a plan for the integration of the DWCP activities into each organization’s work programme

In progress Plan of DWCP activities for each organization

Facilitator Facilities Coordinator Materials Participants Catering

Convene a conference for sharing comparative experiences on the effective use of tripartism and social dialogue mechanisms in different countries

To be initiated

Conference convened for sharing comparative experiences on the effective use of tripartism and social dialogue in different countries

Draw up joint initiatives and arrange joint representations on social and economic policy issues

To be initiated

Joint initiatives drawn up and joint representations arranged on social and economic policy issues

36

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

Status

Outputs

Outcomes

Tripartite partners List of existing avenues for influencing social partners’ positions

Develop strategies for maximizing the representations and influence of social partners’ positions

In progress XX number of strategies identified in the employer and worker organizations

Resources identified by respective partners Staff/members Facilitators/expert Reference materials funding

Develop the capacity for education, research and statistical analysis in each partner

In progress Education capacity established in each organization

Research function established in each organization

Analytical capability developed

The tripartite partners will have an improved and effective means of gathering, analyzing and disseminating information through the use of appropriate technology

Tripartite partners Communication and information policies and practices

Identify and establish mechanisms for effective internal communication and dissemination of information

In progress Internal mechanisms identified within each partner organization

Internal mechanisms established and mainstreamed within in each partner organization

Tripartite partners Communication and information policies and practices

Identify and establish mechanisms and channels for effective information sharing across the tripartite partners’ organizations

In progress Mechanisms identified across the tripartite organizations

37

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

Status

Outputs

Outcomes

Mechanisms established and utilized for information sharing across the tripartite partners’ organizations

Tripartite partners Information Resources Equipment

Develop a public information campaign on decent work and social dialogue to reach the widest possible audience

To be initiated

Draft communication strategy and plan developed with multi-sectoral participation

Public information campaign implemented (radio programmes, newspaper articles and ads, TV spots, websites, town meetings, messages on utility bills)

Tripartite Partners

Determine respective organizational needs and identify the individuals, institutions and organizations that provide the relevant services

In progress Updated contact list of individuals and organizations with their area of resource and expertise

Fact sheet on organizational resources and expertise available

The respective partners will have established networks and alliances to ensure access to identified expertise and resources

38

Inputs and

responsibilities

Activities

Status

Outputs

Outcomes

Tripartite Partners Engage the identified individuals, institutions and organizations in relevant partnership programmes

In progress Number of joint activities implemented with support of identified individuals and institution

Tripartite Partners

Identify funding options for the Decent Work Country Programme

In progress Funding secured to support DWCP initiatives

The tripartite partners will have identified and obtained new sources of funding to support the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme

Tripartite partners Establish a tripartite-plus Decent Work Country Programme Committee to monitor and report on implementation

In progress Tripartite-plus DWCP Committee established

The tripartite-plus partners would have developed a common vision, adopted coherent initiatives, and assumed joint responsibility for implementing the DWCP

39

Annex 2: List of Participants

National Tripartite Consultations on the Implementation, Review and Updating of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) in Belize

Date

Name Organization Position

7 & 8 July 2011 Marian McNab Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

7 & 8 July 2011 Ivan Williams Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

Labour Commissioner

7 & 8 July 2011 Paulette Wagner Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

Ag. Deputy Labour Commissioner

7 July 2011 Virginia Jay Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development

Legal Consultant

7 July 2011 Margaret Ventura Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)

Chair, Labour Sub-Committee

7 & 8 July 2011 Kim Aikman Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)

Director, Member Relations

7 & 8 July 2011 Venetia Eck- Salazar Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)

Chief Policy Analyst

7 July 2011 Yoshabelle Cattouse Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)

Membership Programs Assistant

7 & 8 July 2011 Dylan Reneau National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB)

President

7 July 2011 Jacqueline Willoughby National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB)

General Secretary

7 & 8 July 2011 Kathleen Flowers National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB)

Education Director

7 & 8 July 2011 Elena Smith National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB)

Administrative Secretary

8 July 2011 David Leacock Ministry of Education

Chief Executive Officer

8 July 2011 Margarita Gómez Ministry of Education Director, Employment Training and Education Services (ETES)