BELMOPAN, Tues. June 1, 2021– During negotiations with the Joint Unions, the Government of Belize, in an effort to get the unions to agree to a 10% salary cut, had offered to reduce the number of hours of work for public workers. It now appears that this reduction of the work week of government employees will soon be put into effect, since GOB has issued approval for the number of work hours for government employees, which is stipulated in the Public Service Regulation 32, to be cut by five hours (one hour less each day of the week).

A memo from the Government of Belize noted that this new regulation is to become effective June 14, 2021. Despite the reduction in working hours for public workers, the opening hours of each government office is to remain the same — including continuous service throughout the lunch hour. Respective ministries and departments will use the time leading up to the 14th to prepare rotation schedules to allow for continuous flow of service throughout the workday.