Belize Marks Labour Day with Union Rally

Workers across Belize marked Labour Day on Friday, May 1, with activities highlighting the enduring importance of the labour movement and the ongoing push for workers’ rights.

Observed as a public and bank holiday, Labour Day has long been associated with union-led marches, rallies, and public gatherings. The annual observance serves as a reminder of the struggles that helped secure fair wages, improved working conditions, and protections for workers across the country.  In Belize City, members of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, the NTUCB, led a march through the streets on Friday morning. The procession made its way to Bird’s Isle, where an official ceremony was held, followed by a family-friendly fun day.  Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner was among those participating in the activities. He underscored the importance of recognizing the contributions of workers and the role of organized labour in national development.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “This year’s theme “Workers Rights. Nation’s Strength.” Reminds us of a truth we must never forget. A nation cannot be strong when its workers are weak. A nation cannot be prosperous when its workers are ignored. A nation cannot move forward when the people who carry the weight of progress are left behind. Workers’ rights are not favors. They are the foundation of fairness. They are the basic conditions that allow people to work with dignity, provide for their families, plan for the future, and live with some measure of peace. Fair wages matter. Safe working conditions matter. Respect in the work place matters. Social Security matters. Maternity protection matters. Job security matters. The right to organize matters. And the right to speak up without fear really matters. And let us be honest, the workers of Belize have carried this country through good times and through hard times. When the economy slows down you know who feel it first ? The workers feel it first. When prices go up the workers feel it first isn’t that so ? And when storms come and pandemics come and crisis come, the workers are still asked to show up to serve, to rebuild and to keep the country going. That is why Labor Day must never become just another holiday. It must remain a day of reflection. A day of unit.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour Kareem Musa echoed sentiments shared by NTUCB President Ella Waight, noting that the observance of Labour Day is deeply rooted in Belize’s history and continues to hold national significance.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Labour: “It truly is an honor for me to be here today. Some might call it an uncomfortable honor but when you vie for leadership or a ministerial role or to represent the people sometimes you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and these events are extremely important. And I want to acknowledge my brother Minister Henry Charles Usher I know you were there again last year minister and thank you for coming to listen along with me so when I lend my voice to the cause in Cabinet I know I can count on you to also lend your voice as you always have on behalf of the Belizean worker. Our history has not been kind to the men and women who built the country. Slavery was abolished across British Colonies in 1833 however a five year system of apprenticeship was implemented to extend the master’s control over the former slaves and by compensating former slave owners. You see ladies and gentlemen the system was designed from then to protect the power and give less to the powerless. We do not want to continue the history of the working poor. We do not want a system where some thrive on the backs of others as has been clearly been defined in our history.”

The Labour Day rally brought together unions, government representatives, and workers.  Also, the Belize City Council also had a family day for its workers where they engaged in friendly competition and games.