Prime Minister Says Private Sector Had Enough Time to Prepare for Minimum Wage Increase

Prime Minister John Briceño

But, Prime Minister John Briceño is not buying this argument. He responded by saying that the private sector has had ample time to prepare for the increase. Here is what he told us on Wednesday.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t think it is overnight, because we have been telling them. It was in Plan Belize and we have been telling them over and over that this was coming. The minimum wage has not increased in ten years and we have the issue of inflation and poor people the make three dollars and thirty cents, man please. I am just appealing to the private sector to do their part. They are going to benefit you know, because the more money people have the more they can spend, the more they can afford to go and buy in their stores. So, the private sector they are going to benefit and most businesses are already paying more than five dollars open hour, than what we are proposing. I think of the hundred thousand plus workers, bout thirty thousand are earning less than five dollars. So, by doing all of this will be getting in effect a much needed raise.”