ILO strengthens Public Employment Services and labour market policies in Belize

Belmopan, Belize (ILO News) - From 7–12 September 2025, a strategic intervention led by Mr. Abdelmalik Muhummed, ILO Specialist, Employment and Labour Market and Dr. André Vincent Henry, Director of Cipriani College of Labour & Cooperative Studies, partnered with Belize’s Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government and key social partners. This initiative marked a decisive step in advancing Belize’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2024–2029, strengthening the labour market and promoting inclusive, productive employment.

The meetings focused on modernizing Public Employment Services (PES), reviewing Active Labour Market Policies and Programmes (ALMPs), and laying the groundwork for a National Employment Policy (NEP) directly contributing to the implementation of the DWCP’s strategic priority of facilitating inclusive labour markets.

To underscore the ILO’s vision for this collaboration, Mr. Abdelmalik Muhummed emphasized, ”These tools, as outlined in the Decent Work Country Programme, are critical for expanding opportunities, addressing inequalities, and ensuring that all workers—especially youth, women, indigenous peoples and migrant workers—can fully participate in and benefit from the world of work.” With implied reference to the developing context of Belize’s participation in a regional free movement arrangement, Mr. Muhummed also noted that the meeting was addressing key topics that help to “enhance policy coherence in relation to labour migration, workforce development, job placement and employment activation.”

Key highlights

1. Five-year PES action plan: Employment officers from all districts participated in a two-day workshop to identify and assess practical interventions and services which would form part of an initial draft PES action plan that would deliver valuable support to job seekers and employers in Belize.
2. ALMP review: Consultations with relevant institutions mapped existing policies and programmes, identified gaps, and highlighted opportunities to expand support particularly for youth and marginalized populations. This review informs both the PES action plan and broader labour market reforms.
3. NEP dialogue: Early engagements with the Ministry and social partners initiated discussions for a collaborative, forward-looking employment policy framework, setting the foundation for the NEP formulation process.

The intervention combined technical workshops, strategic reflections, and broad consultations with constituents, covering career guidance, digital services, entrepreneurship support, labour market information, financing mechanisms, partnerships, and decentralization. These discussions underscored the importance of aligning strategy, evidence, and partnerships to respond effectively to evolving labour market dynamics.

Reflecting the Government’s perspective, Mr. Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government, noted:

“The Belize’s economic performance has been remarkable, with sustained growth averaging 8 per cent over the past four years, second only to Guyana in the Caribbean. To ensure that this growth translates into inclusive and job-rich outcomes, the Ministry has prioritized the development and implementation of employment policies and services that promote decent work, particularly for youth, women, and indigenous populations. Central to this effort is the formulation of the National Employment Policy (NEP), which serves as a strategic instrument to enhance policy coherence across education, skills development, trade, investment, and labour market interventions”

Mr. Abdelmalik Muhummed, recognized that, “Belize continues to face decent work deficits, including high levels of informality, persistent gender disparities across labour market indicators, high youth unemployment, and limited access to employment opportunities for indigenous groups.” He highlighted that the Ministry’s integrated mandate, covering rural transformation, local governance, and labour, combined with decentralized staff, presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen employment outcomes at the national and sub-national levels. In this context, the National Employment Policy is positioned as a catalytic policy framework to guide and coordinate economic, sectoral, and local development interventions aimed at advancing decent work.

Anticipated deliverables

• A comprehensive PES Action Plan with clear activities, roles, timelines, and potential ILO support.
• An ALMP Analysis Report detailing existing policies, delivery methods, and strategies for enhancement and expansion.
• A technical roadmap on NEP development, summarizing ILO assistance and providing a foundation for future policy formulation.

Once endorsed by the Ministry and the DWCP Oversight Committee, these results will serve as critical tools to strengthen employment services, promote decent work, and expand productive opportunities across Belize.

The ILO's engagement demonstrates how strategy, innovation, and partnership can create real, lasting impact for workers and communities, reinforcing the ILO’s commitment to advancing social justice and inclusive economic development in Belize.