NTUCB launches new strategic plan and website with support from ILO
Both products seek to prioritize and amplify workers’ issues in national development.
12 August 2023
© National Trade Union Congress of Belize
The recent launch of a new strategic plan and website by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on 11 August 2023 is being lauded as a significant step to boost representation of workers’ rights in that country.
Both products were prepared with support from the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean and the Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) under the Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund Programme: Building a resilient Belize through universal, adaptive, and sustainable social protection.
They were each designed to help to raise the profile of the NTUCB and its active role in ensuring that the needs and perspectives of workers are addressed in Belize’s national development. The five-year strategic plan which spans 2023-2028 will contribute to the agility and resilience of the NTCUB by outlining its policies and intentions to achieve equitable socio-economic advancement for workers. The new website will ensure that all workers and stakeholders can access and share the information they need online.
“The process of developing the NTUCB's 2023 - 2028 strategic plan was rather refreshing. The NTUCB commitment and efforts was on full display as the organization defined a bold new vision and charted its way forward with its goals and objectives. At several of the working sessions, we saw up to 10 affiliates represented. This truly emphasizes the seriousness of the NTUCB,” said Dr. Sharmayne Saunders, ILO Consultant who worked with the NTUCB to develop the plan.
During the preparation of the plan, Mr. Luke Martinez, President of the NTUCB, reminded those involved of the vital role of unions in contributing to the socio-economic wellbeing of Belize.
“Planning, leading, organizing, and control are core tools for our institution. If you plan to lead a successful team, then your team must develop a strategic plan to meet your strategic goals and objectives, and this is what we have done here! Our 2023 – 2028 strategic plan seeks the attainment of equitable socio-economic advancement for labourers through collective effort and the democratic process. I acknowledge the ILO Caribbean Director and team lead Mr. Dennis Zulu, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Workers’ Activities, Ms. Vera Guseva, ILO National Officer Pamela Bradley, and ILO Consultant Dr. Sharmayne Saunders for supporting and guiding the NTUCB through this process and on the right path to reach such an important milestone. Also, I acknowledge each and every one of our members for your support in reaching this milestone. Solidarity Forever!!!,” said Mr. Martinez.
The outcomes of the new NTUCB strategic plan are interrelated and articulated as priorities in the Government of Belize’s Medium-Term Development Strategy 2022 – 2026 which can be achieved through job creation and decent work.
“The ILO congratulates the NTUCB on this major milestone and commits to continue supporting the work of the NTUCB in promoting and protecting worker participation in key areas such as value chain development and in partnership with our sister agencies United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement the Joint SDG Fund Programme: Building a resilient Belize through universal, adaptive, and sustainable social protection,” said Ms. Guseva.
To access the new NTUCB website, please visit https://ntucb.org/
More information about the Joint SDG Fund is available at: https://jointsdgfund.org/programme/resilient-belize
Both products were prepared with support from the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean and the Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) under the Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund Programme: Building a resilient Belize through universal, adaptive, and sustainable social protection.
They were each designed to help to raise the profile of the NTUCB and its active role in ensuring that the needs and perspectives of workers are addressed in Belize’s national development. The five-year strategic plan which spans 2023-2028 will contribute to the agility and resilience of the NTCUB by outlining its policies and intentions to achieve equitable socio-economic advancement for workers. The new website will ensure that all workers and stakeholders can access and share the information they need online.
“The process of developing the NTUCB's 2023 - 2028 strategic plan was rather refreshing. The NTUCB commitment and efforts was on full display as the organization defined a bold new vision and charted its way forward with its goals and objectives. At several of the working sessions, we saw up to 10 affiliates represented. This truly emphasizes the seriousness of the NTUCB,” said Dr. Sharmayne Saunders, ILO Consultant who worked with the NTUCB to develop the plan.
During the preparation of the plan, Mr. Luke Martinez, President of the NTUCB, reminded those involved of the vital role of unions in contributing to the socio-economic wellbeing of Belize.
“Planning, leading, organizing, and control are core tools for our institution. If you plan to lead a successful team, then your team must develop a strategic plan to meet your strategic goals and objectives, and this is what we have done here! Our 2023 – 2028 strategic plan seeks the attainment of equitable socio-economic advancement for labourers through collective effort and the democratic process. I acknowledge the ILO Caribbean Director and team lead Mr. Dennis Zulu, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Workers’ Activities, Ms. Vera Guseva, ILO National Officer Pamela Bradley, and ILO Consultant Dr. Sharmayne Saunders for supporting and guiding the NTUCB through this process and on the right path to reach such an important milestone. Also, I acknowledge each and every one of our members for your support in reaching this milestone. Solidarity Forever!!!,” said Mr. Martinez.
The outcomes of the new NTUCB strategic plan are interrelated and articulated as priorities in the Government of Belize’s Medium-Term Development Strategy 2022 – 2026 which can be achieved through job creation and decent work.
“The ILO congratulates the NTUCB on this major milestone and commits to continue supporting the work of the NTUCB in promoting and protecting worker participation in key areas such as value chain development and in partnership with our sister agencies United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement the Joint SDG Fund Programme: Building a resilient Belize through universal, adaptive, and sustainable social protection,” said Ms. Guseva.
To access the new NTUCB website, please visit https://ntucb.org/
More information about the Joint SDG Fund is available at: https://jointsdgfund.org/programme/resilient-belize