Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “bargaining agent” means a trade union that acts on behalf of “bargaining unit” means a group of employees on whose behalf collective bargaining may take place; “collective agreement” means a written agreement between an employer, or an employers’ organisation authorised by the employer, and a trade union, concerning the terms and conditions of employment of employees and any other matters of mutual interest; “commission agent” means an agent or employee who is remunerated by commission; Trade Unions and Employers; Organisations (Registration, Recognition and Status) 7 “dependent contractor” means a person, whether or not employed under a contract of employment, who performs work or services for another person for compensation or reward, on such terms and conditions which place him in relation to the other person in a position of economic dependence and under an obligation to perform duties for that other person more closely resembling the relationship of employee than that of an independent contractor; “employee” means a person who offers his services under a contract of employment, and includes, where appropriate, a dependent contractor, a managerial employee and a former “employer” means any person or undertaking, corporation, company, public authority, statutory body or body of persons who or which employs any person to work under a contract of employment; or uses the services of a dependent contractor, commission agent, or a contract worker, and includes the heirs, successors and assigns of the employer; “employers’ organisation” or “employers’ association” means any combination or group established by employers, the principal purposes of which are the representation and promotion of employers’ interests and the regulation of relations between employers and employees; and includes a federation of employers’ organisations; “managerial employee” means an individual who has managerial responsibilities and who works under a contract of employment; “Minister” means the Minister for the time being to whom the subject of labour is assigned by the Governor-General pursuant to section 41 of the Belize Constitution, Cap. 4; Trade Unions and Employers; Organisations (Registration, 8 Recognition and Status) “Registrar” means the Registrar of Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations appointed under section 12 of this Act; “Supreme Court” means the Supreme Court of Judicature established under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Cap. 91 and includes a Judge thereof sitting in Chambers; “trade union” means any combination or group of persons, whether temporary or permanent, the principal purposes of which are the representation and promotion of employees’ interests and the regulation of relations between employees and employers, and includes a federation of trade unions, but does not include an organisation or association that is dominated or influenced by an employer or an employers’ organisation.