Despite Economic Burden of Pandemic, Can Employers Afford to Pay Staff at Lower Salary?

Doug Singh

The S.I. is only to last for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The S.S.B. is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry to acquire a list of persons who have been terminated or lost employment as a result of the virus. But as we’ve reported, there are a number of persons who have already lost their jobs and are at home, because the disease can pose as an economic burden to the private sector. 

Doug Singh, Chair, S.S.B.

“We realise that this can become an economic burden on employers. While it provides a benefit to them and some cash, we would still want to encourage that because we think that anything an employer can do to look after the welfare of their employees especially those that they value so much and want to return to work—that would be encouraged. I know a lot of companies are electing to put employees who are off on twenty percent salary and so on for as long as they can possibly do it. We want to encourage that, but that’s not possible in all circumstances. And we want to ensure that employees; that additional stress at this time becomes unnecessary.”