- January 31, 2020
- Posted by: BCCI
- Category: News & Press Releases
In December of 2017, the Belize Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development engaged WINROCK International (https://www.winrock.org/), a U.S. non-profit organization that works to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources, to implement a “Country Level Engagement and Assistance to Reduce (CLEAR) Child Labour II” project in Belize. The U.S. Department of Labour (USDOL) funded this project with technical support from Winrock International, Verite and Lawyers without Borders. This project is similarly being done in the following countries: Burkina Faso, Liberia, Nepal, Belize, Panama and Jamaica. The project in Belize closed on June 30th, 2019.
The Purpose of the project was to:
1.) Improve Belize’s legislation addressing child labour issues, including bringing local and national laws in compliance with international standards and
2.) Improve in monitoring and enforcement of Belize’s laws and policies related to the worst forms of child labour. A Legislative Review Committee (LRC) was formed to assist in the child labour legislative process. The LRC supported the work of the National Child Labour Committee (NCLC).
The LRC has completed their review. Please click here for a copy of the LRC’s review and proposal.
Even though the project has closed, it is expected that the Government of Belize will move forward with the proposals put forward. The ultimate aim is to eradicate all forms of child labour as per our international commitment under the ILO – UN and CARICOM laws.
At present the proposals are up for consultation. If you would like to provide your feedback on the child labour proposals, please email your comments to bcci@belize.org.
