How’s the Minimum Wage Adjustment Coming Along?

Marcelo Blake

The five dollar minimum wage came into effect on New Year’s Day, notwithstanding several concerns being raised by the business community ahead of its implementation.  Since the adjustment came into force several weeks ago, small businesses have been modifying hours for their employees.  In the face of these changes, we asked the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier today if they have been receiving feedback from private sector businesses on the matter.

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

“We haven’t yet.  We’ve been speaking to some members.  In fact, this was part of what we discussed the last time we were here which is that businesses will find ways of ensuring that they can stay afloat, at least in the short term.  So, with that increase, they are looking at ways of how they will be able to continue business and continue to hold on to the workers that they have.  We all know that the pool of skilled workers in Belize is rather small, so when you have persons who add value to your organization, you will find ways of how you’ll keep them.”