Belize tripartite partners validate Decent Work Country Diagnostic, a fundamental step towards second Decent Work Country Programme
Process provided comprehensive analysis on progress and challenges in achieving decent work.
4 December 2023
© Belize Press Office
The development of Belize’s new Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) reached a major milestone as tripartite constituents gathered for a consultation to discuss and agree on a holistic analysis of the main national labour trends and issues through a Decent Work Country Diagnostic (DWCD).
Facilitated by the ILO Caribbean team and consultants from Ergon Associates from 28 November – 1 December 2023, the DWCD consultation included representatives from the Government, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) as well as other key national stakeholders.
The four-day national event provided a comprehensive diagnostic narrative on the progress and challenges in achieving decent work in Belize. The constituents were asked to consider the evidence-based assessment structured around key themes including the Overall Setting; The Dynamics of Employment and Labour Market; Fundamental Principles and Rights and Work and implementation of International Labour Standards; Decent Working Conditions; Equal Opportunities and Treatment; Social Protection; Social Dialogue; and Decent Work Challenges Ahead.
The assessment was subsequently discussed among all constituents to decide on priority issues to be addressed through the next DWCP, which will be designed to align with national development plans as well as International Labour Standards.
“The ILO commends Belize’s tripartite constituents for engaging in social dialogue for the preparation of the strategic framework of their second DWCP – a key driver for the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, most notably SDG8. The DWCD, developed and validated through a process of collaboration and dialogue, serves as a central tool for identifying the main priorities for the upcoming Decent Work Country Programme, in turn, a key national tool to implement solutions for the achievement of economic growth, productive employment and decent work for all,” said Lars Johansen, Deputy Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
After identifying a number of key priorities through the validation of the DWCD, the process now goes into its drafting phase, where the Decent Work Country Programme itself will be developed. Further stakeholder consultations will contribute to the drafting of the Programme, to be validated in a tripartite workshop in early 2024.
Facilitated by the ILO Caribbean team and consultants from Ergon Associates from 28 November – 1 December 2023, the DWCD consultation included representatives from the Government, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) as well as other key national stakeholders.
The four-day national event provided a comprehensive diagnostic narrative on the progress and challenges in achieving decent work in Belize. The constituents were asked to consider the evidence-based assessment structured around key themes including the Overall Setting; The Dynamics of Employment and Labour Market; Fundamental Principles and Rights and Work and implementation of International Labour Standards; Decent Working Conditions; Equal Opportunities and Treatment; Social Protection; Social Dialogue; and Decent Work Challenges Ahead.
The assessment was subsequently discussed among all constituents to decide on priority issues to be addressed through the next DWCP, which will be designed to align with national development plans as well as International Labour Standards.
“The ILO commends Belize’s tripartite constituents for engaging in social dialogue for the preparation of the strategic framework of their second DWCP – a key driver for the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, most notably SDG8. The DWCD, developed and validated through a process of collaboration and dialogue, serves as a central tool for identifying the main priorities for the upcoming Decent Work Country Programme, in turn, a key national tool to implement solutions for the achievement of economic growth, productive employment and decent work for all,” said Lars Johansen, Deputy Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
After identifying a number of key priorities through the validation of the DWCD, the process now goes into its drafting phase, where the Decent Work Country Programme itself will be developed. Further stakeholder consultations will contribute to the drafting of the Programme, to be validated in a tripartite workshop in early 2024.