Minimum Wage Consultations Completed, Next Step is Implementation

P.P.F. Capital Belize Limited, the consulting firm hired by the Government of Belize to hold countrywide consultations on the five dollar minimum wage increase, has submitted its final report to the Minimum Wage Taskforce.  The taskforce is now reviewing the report which will then be presented to Cabinet with recommendations. Today, Minister of Labour, Oscar Requeña announced that the minimum wage increase will come into effect on January first, New Years day. On the other hand, the Belize Chamber of Commerce continues to be concerned that an immediate minimum wage increase to five dollars will have many employers laying-off employees and further increasing their prices. With only four weeks before the end of the year we asked Minister Requeña about those concerns.

Oscar Requeña

Oscar Requeña, Minister of Labor

“I am certain that the consultant who undertook this consultation met with various stakeholders across the country, including labour organizations, employers, employees and their views were taken into consideration and were captured in that report. At this time if there is anybody who still wants to make a submission they can do so to our Labour Department.”

Paul Lopez

“What is the next step now that the report is in the Task Force’s hand?”

Oscar Requeña

“Essentially, the report is going to be presented to Cabinet and as you know the Prime Minister already made a commitment during his September twenty-first speech in which he indicated the five dollars minimum wage comes into effect January first. So it is basically for us to tidy up everything, ensure we have the necessary structures in place and move forward.”

Paul Lopez

“I have to ask how we will tackle the persistent position from the BCC where they are still proposing a phased approach to this implementation of the five dollars minimum wage.”

Oscar Requeña

“We work very closely with the chamber and several other stakeholders, but I believe the reality and cabinet has studied this very carefully, the reality that inflation, cost of living, there is no doubt that we have to increase the minimum wage, we have to. So, we will continue the discussion, I am certain that the end of the day cooler heads will prevail and we want to be fair. We want to ensure the wealth distribution ends up in an equitable manner so that all Belizeans can benefit.”