Is Minimum Wage Adjustment Timed for Political Mileage?

Marcello Blake

Is the timing of the minimum wage adjustment strategic, in order for the Briceño administration to gain points with the electorate?  That’s what we asked the president of the chamber earlier today.  Here’s how he responded.

Marcello Blake, President, B.C.C.I.

“It’s political capital.  Yes, being at this point in the five-year term, I think it’s an opportunity for them to be able to try and deliver or start delivering on some of the other aspects of Plan Belize and so, it might be an opportune time for them to be able to puch this.  However, is it the responsible way of doing it in going the one sweep instead of doing a phased approach, because they could have still been delivering on that five dollars by 2025, even with a phased approach.”

Isani Cayetano

“What is the overall sentiment of the chamber, in light of government’s recent move to pass the legislation?”

Marcello Blake

“For the chamber, we continue to fight.  I mean, at the end of the day it’s our constituents that we must represent and we continue to advocate on their behalf.  The government has to do what it must and the business community will need to do what it must as well, because in this situation now there are going to be major adjustments that would have to be made and where the adjustments can’t continue to sustain those businesses then hard decisions will need to be taken.”