Tripartite officials in Dangriga, Belize identify local inclusive sustainable tourism and financial literacy as key areas of support from ILO

A recent ILO mission to Dangriga, Belize to meet with tripartite officials provided a platform to discuss sectorial development strategies (in tourism) for reducing and preventing poverty and vulnerabilities faced by the country’s largest Garifuna community. 

ILO Caribbean Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation, John Bliek, led the meetings between 12 and 16 February 2024. He was joined by the Southern Workers Union and local government officials, who identified key areas for ILO support.

The Garifuna are an afro-indigenous ethnic group in Belize that faces persistent inequalities and socio-economic exclusion. According to the 2021 Multidimensional Poverty Index by the Statistical Institute of Belize, the Garifuna make up 4.1 per cent of the overall population and experience a 24.3 per cent incidence of poverty. 

Participants reflected on the outcomes of a 2023 ILO publication, A sector selection and value chain analysis in Belize Sustainable tourism and dehydrated fruits processing in the districts of Toledo and Stann Creek, which advocates for the strengthening of local indigenous communities and economies through responsible and respectful tourism. 

The discussions resulted in the identification of two key priorities for the empowerment of Garifuna communities: developing cultural tourism opportunities that will stimulate job growth as well as providing financial literacy training to youth that will lead to greater socio-economic resilience for future generations. 

“The ILO is pleased to directly engage in dialogue with world of work representatives in Dangriga to identify clear pathways to decent jobs and livelihoods that will improve the standard of living for the Garifuna, particularly for vulnerable target groups as youth who face higher unemployment rates. We are committed to working with local officials to build more integrated and inclusive economic opportunities that will reduce inequalities and promote greater social justice. National level discussions have already begun towards the development of training and coaching youth in financial literacy,” explained John Bliek. 

With a soon to be developed Decent Work Country Programme for Belize on the way, the ILO Caribbean team will continue to explore options with the Government and social partners for building a robust local sustainable tourism sector in Dangriga that will benefit the Garifuna and other marginalized populations.