Employment
Labour Act standards with a unified minimum wage
The Labour Act sets minimum employment standards, supplemented by the Shops Act and the Employment Agencies Act. Belize equalised its minimum wage across sectors and raised it to BZD 5.00 an hour with effect from 1 January 2023.
Key rules
- The minimum wage is BZD 5.00 per hour for all workers, including domestic and agricultural workers.
- The standard week is 45 hours over six days, with overtime at 1.5 times the normal rate.
- Severance is payable after five years of continuous service at one week per year worked.
- Notice of termination ranges from one week to four weeks depending on length of service.
- Annual leave is two weeks after one year of continuous employment, and unions are protected under the Trade Unions Act.
Governing law
- Labour Act (Cap 297)Contracts, wages, hours and termination.
- Trade Unions Act (Cap 300)Union registration and protection.
- Social Security Act (Cap 44)Contributions and benefits.
In practice
Severance only accrues after five years, which makes the five-year mark commercially significant. Social Security registration is mandatory from the first employee, and the Labour Department conciliates most unfair-dismissal complaints before any tribunal step.