Low Turnout in Belize City and San Pedro for Minimum Wage Public Consultations

The Minimum Wage Task Force is currently conducting public consultations to get feedback from the general public on the proposed five dollar minimum wage increase. To date, meetings have been held in San Pedro Town, Orange Walk, Corozal, Belize City and Belmopan, with one scheduled for tonight in San Ignacio Town. Reports are that only nine persons turned up for the consultation in Belize City. San Pedro’s turnout was also poor, according to reports. The task force is made up of members from various private and public sector partners, including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Today we spoke with Marcelo Blake, the President of B.C.C.I. about participation in these public discussions.

Marcelo Blake

Marcelo Blake, President, B.C.C.I.

“The second phase now entails consultations that are happening in every district. So, there are town halls that are set up to encourage the public to come in and provide their feedback to the process. The turn outs vary. As we had, Belize City was not as robust or far from it. But, most of the other districts had fairly good turnout and they had a wide cross section of businesses that were present and shared their feedback and opinions in regards to the minimum wage. Belize City I would want to say it was the weather because you remember Hurricane Ian, I wouldn’t want to call it a scare, but we had quite a bit of rains and San Pedro you would have to look at where the minimum wage payment rates are out there. While there is a minimum wage at three thirty, in San Pedro, most of those businesses are paying at or above minimum wage. Really what you want is for people to give their own individual experiences to inform the final decision. At the end of the day, those persons end to come forward provide their info, fill out to survey, because there is a survey floating around as well, to be able to have those putting together the final recommendations be well informed and understand what it is that the impacts will be on individuals businesses and individuals.”